Northampton Town 0, Blackburn Rovers 0 AET

Blackburn won 5-3 on penalties

ROVERS' youngsters kept their nerve to win a dramatic penalty shoot-out and book their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.

After 120 goalless minutes at the Sixfields Stadium last night it came down to penalties.

And Blackburn's practice this week paid off as all five players scored from 12 yards after Northampton had missed from their first attempt to set up a home tie with Colchester United in the next round.

Skipper Michael Taylor converted the clinching fifth spot-kick after Neil Danns, John Walters, Alan Morgan and Michael Cole had all converted their efforts.

Rovers had done enough in normal time to book their passage, although the Cobblers defended resolutely to make it hard work for Rob Kelly's side.

It might have been different if a 20th-minute header from Danns had been allowed to stand.

But as it was it became a night of frustration for Rovers with Danns, Liam Blakeman and Danny Stone all going close on a number of occasions.

Rovers showed admirable patience, however, and that finally paid off as they made no mistake in the shoot-out.

Blackburn: Robinson, Martin (Creasy 65), Woodhead, Cole, M Taylor, Stone, Watt (Nelson 90), Blakeman (Byrne 75), Walters, Danns, Morgan. Subs not used: Renton, Bell.