ROVERS RES 2

WEST BROM RES 0

BLACKBURN Rovers beat West Brom for the second time in three days thanks to the help of David Thompson last night.

Thompson made his comeback after a five-month absence and contributed an assist as Glyn Hodges' reserve side served up a repeat of the first team's 2-0 win against Albion at the weekend.

Second half goals from Andy Taylor and Keith Barker finally killed off an experienced Baggies side that featured a host of first team squad players, including £3 million summer signing Nathan Ellington.

But the biggest plus of the night was the performance of Thompson, who looked sharp considering this was his first run-out since the end of last season.

Andy Todd also got 90 minutes under his belt after missing the last five first team games through suspension and injury.

And Lorenzo Amoruso stepped up his comeback plans with his second reserve run-out of the season too, although the Italian still looked some way short of being ready for a first team return.

Rovers' on-loan goalkeeper Richard Lee made his first save of the night when he dived to his right to beat out a rasping volley from Albion's Rob Davies.

As the half wore on, however, it was Rovers that looked the team more likely to break the deadlock.

A piece of trickery from 17-year-old winger Keith Treacy, who impressed on the right, led to a chance for Thompson, but the former Liverpool star headed over from six yards out.

Then Jemal Johnson was unlucky to see his 25-yard howitzer fly inches over the crossbar.

Little was seen of Albion as an attacking force, although Brian Smikle should perhaps have done better than head wide when left unmarked at a free kick.

The half almost finished in spectacular fashion when Thompson embarked on a mazy run to the edge of the penalty area, but, after working an opening for himself, his shot then lacked the necessary power to beat Tomasz Kuszczak.

Rovers remained on top in the second half and finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark.

Thompson swung over a free kick from the right and Taylor rose highest to power a header past Kuszczak.

Rovers should have seen the game out comfortably after that but instead Albion then enjoyed their best spell.

A Thomas Gaardsoe header flashed inches wide of the far post, and Smikle had a strong shout for a penalty turned down when he appeared to get flattened by Todd in the area.

However, it was left to Barker to finally seal the points when he curled an exquisite shot into the top corner in the final minute.

ROVERS: Lee, Kane, Taylor, Harkins, Amoruso, Todd, Treacy, Thompson, Johnson, Barker, Peter. Subs: Welch (for Treacy, 64), Stopforth (for Thompson, 69) Not used: Byrom, Fielding, Nolan

WEST BROM: Kuszczak, Hodgkins, Carter, Davies, Moore, Gaardsoe, Scimeca, Johnson, Ellington, Elvins, Smikle. Subs: Nicholson (for Elvins, 69), Sissoko (for Davies, 69) Not used: Daniels, Forsyth, Barker

Att: 244