FA Youth Cup semi-final 2nd leg: Peterborough United 0 Blackburn Rovers 1 (Agg: 0-2) - Peter White reports

OLD heads on young shoulders saw Blackburn Rovers through to the FA Youth Cup final last night, for the first time since 1959.

And it was the head of top striker Gary Hamilton which grabbed the only goal at London Road to complete their own version of the 39 steps.

A fully-deserved win rekindled hopes that the current crop of kids can follow in the footsteps of the last triumphant Rovers team at this level all those years ago and, hopefully, will lift some of the Ewood gloom which has been gathering.

The young Rovers gave a performance of which they can be proud.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg of this excellent semi-final and, knowing they should have wrapped it up at Ewood, they showed a real streak of professionalism to complete the job.

Rovers lost the influential figure of central defender Keith Brown through injury, which necessitated a reshuffle at the back.

But they needn't have worried. The back four were outstanding, including first-year Richard Dunning, who was promoted and faced Peterborough's outstanding player, Matthew Etherington, who has already made his first-team debut.

And, while they call Martin Taylor "Tiny", the strapping centre half was a giant in footballing terms.

Peter Murphy switched to centre back, Leam Richardson to left back and the biggest tribute I can pay the defence is that the often outstanding Brown wasn't missed. So good was the organisation and cover that the calm figure of keeper Gareth Stewart was rarely troubled, despite plenty of Peterborough possession.

Rovers' aggregate victory could have been huge, because they again created a host of chances on the break in the second half but failed to make them count.

The hard-working midfield quartet were always in the game and strikers Hamilton and Jon Topley always looked capable of causing problems.

It was, however, a tight first half. Peterborough were eager but Rovers had the edge on openings.

As early as the fourth minute, Taylor sent Hamilton through and an instinctive lob was not far over.

The most dangerous moment of the opening half-hour came when Garth Scates, fed by Andy McAvoy, made an excellent run down the right and crossed only for the keeper to block Topley's header.

Peterborough began to threaten more and, when Etherington finally eluded Dunning, David French had a chance from the left wing cross.

But good covering blocked the goal attempt and summed up Rovers' teamwork. Four minutes before the interval, a great run by McAvoy set up the best chance of the half for Topley. But the striker seemed to have too much time and space and eventually shot wide.

Still, Rovers looked comfortable and they were even more so when they survived two real threats from Etherington to double their lead in the 52nd minute.

Ciaran Ryan's superbly-delivered right wing corner swung into the near post and Hamilton glanced home his header.

That was the beginning of the end for a brave Peterborough side, though they made one last gallant effort; Jeff Kenna's brother Warren getting the best out of an under-pressure Stewart with a header.

Rovers, however, could easily have had more.

The keeper saved superbly from Topley and a strong David Dunn and pulled off three more stops from Topley and Hamilton on the break. A couple of other chances also went begging but Rovers' passage had already been booked.

Dunn, Scates and Ryan were also booked but that was harsh when the Peterborough keeper could have been sent off for a foul on Topley, who was through. He didn't even see a yellow card.

The officials - particularly both linesmen - were dodgy throughout but nothing could mar a great night for the Rovers youngsters who played the game like seasoned professionals.

PETERBOROUGH (4-3-3): Haxthausen; Haley, Campbell, Kenna, Pendleton; Koogi, Gill, Davies; French, Shields, Etherington. Subs: Hann (for French 67 mins), Cable (for Shields 80 mins), Sadler.

ROVERS (4-4-2): Stewart; Dunning, Taylor, Murphy, Richardson; McAvoy, Dunn, Scates, Ryan; Hamilton, Topley. Subs: Woodfield (for Hamilton 85 mins), Hawe, Bingham.

Referee: P Adcock (Sevenoaks)

Attendance: 4,216

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