Blackburn Rovers Reserves 1 Liverpool Reserves 1

MARTIN Taylor was at the heart of the action as Rovers gained a highly-creditable draw with a star-studded Liverpool side at Ewood last night.

The giant defender scored a shock first-minute opener but was then guilty of a 75th-minute foul to concede the penalty from which Michael Owen grabbed an equaliser.

Overall, it was an excellent performance by Rovers, who fielded a very young side against a Liverpool team containing a number of famous names, mainly making comebacks from injury.

Owen lined up alongside Jamie Redknapp, Steve Gerrard, Danny Murphy, Steve Staunton and Stig Bjornebye in an experienced side who displayed their trademark passing but created very few genuine chances.

Rovers stunned the visitors in the opening minute when Ryan Baldacchino took a quick free kick and Taylor, who had found space, headed past Jorgen Nielsen. Owen might have equalised in the 23rd minute but a combination of Craig Short and keeper Michael Bingham kept him out.

Bingham saved well from Ritchie Partridge early in the second half but, after a glorious move, Burton O'Brien should have put Rovers 2-0 up on 55 minutes only to shoot wide.

It was a sickener when Taylor slipped up to trip Dgini Traore and Owen converted the penalty with ease.

But there were some good Rovers performances. The two wingers, Baldacchino and Paul Forsyth, showed bags of skill and Darren Dunning was a bundle of energy in midfield.

ROVERS: Bingham, McNamee (sub Douglas 45 mins), Short, Taylor, Howson, Baldacchino, Dunning, O'Brien, Forsyth, Hamilton (sub Corbett 62 mins), Burgess (sub Richards 78 mins). Subs not used: Hawe, Hind (gk).

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