BOBBY Downes was left with a strange sense of Deja Vu at the weekend as both of Rovers' Academy teams suffered a similar fate at the hands of Derby County.

The Under 19s clawed back a 1-0 deficit courtesy of a strike from super-sub Mark Byrne only to ship a late winner in the last couple of minutes.

And, in strangely similar circumstances, the Under 17s also lost 2-1 late on after substitute Phil Howard had climbed off the bench to cancel out an early strike from the home side.

It was the first time this season that either side had lost after both have made flying starts.

But the Under 17s still remain top of group C in the FA Premier Academy League with a goal difference of plus-12 after just four games.

"It was quite a bizarre weekend because both games were very, very similar," said Academy chief Downes.

"We shouldn't have lost either game to be honest because we created enough chances.

"But the Under 19s lost in the last three minutes and the Under 17s suffered a similar fate."

Regardless of that set-back, however, Downes is delighted with the flying start.

"It's not really so much about the results at this level we're more concerned about pushing them on and getting them playing with the reserves," said Downes.

"But, that said, we think you get more players out of a winning team and the lads have done well so far."

Rovers' Academy teams are next in action against Leeds at the weekend although the kick-off times have yet to be decided due to United's involvement in the UEFA Cup.

Meanwhile, David McNamee has now returned to Ewood after a trial spell at Bristol Rovers.

The young Scot is currently on the transfer-list after failing to break into the first team at Rovers but any hopes of a move to Bristol appear to have fallen through.