Lewis Thompson scored an injury-time winner as Rovers started their Premier League 2 campaign with a 2-1 victory against Manchester City.

The full back swept home a Jared Harlock free kick in the 96th minute which came after City goalkeeper James Trafford was shown a straight red card for catching Sam Burns with a high boot.

Connor McBride’s debut goal looked to have earned Billy Barr’s side a share of the spoils in their opening fixture having fallen behind to a fine James McAtee strike before the late drama.

It was a night hard of hard graft for Barr’s youngsters, but they restricted City to long-range opportunities, and while they had to wait for their opportunities infront of goal, they managed to build on the momentum of McBride’s equaliser as the game remained in the balance to the final whistle until injury-time.

It was there where Thompson fired in the winner to give Rovers the perfect start.

THE ACTION

Rovers tried to knock City out of their passing stride, looking to be organised behind the ball, as the visitors played an expansive shape.

The opening goal came in the ninth minute, McAtee holding off the challenges of both Brad Lyons and Ben Paton before rocketing a shot home from 20 yards.

That left Jordan Eastham with no chance, but the keeper, whose distribution is particularly eye-catching, made a finger-tip save to keep out Oscar Bobb’s effort in the 27th minute.

Bobb’s strike followed excellent work by technical midfield player Ben Knight who was the pick of the City players.

As for Rovers, their better work was coming down the left through driving runs from full back Lewis Thompson, but chances were few and far between in a first half that was unspectacular, but competitive.

Rovers’ quest for an equaliser in the second half saw McBride try and get on the end of a Brennan throughball, but goalkeeper James Trafford was quick enough off his line to deny the former Celtic youngster.

The first effort of the second period didn’t arrive until the midway point, a speculative effort from Knight which was easily held by Eastham.

Rovers’ reward for sticking in the game came with 20 minutes to play as a free kick fell kindly to McBride who took a touch to steady himself before firing beyond Trafford.

That gave Rovers the momentum they craved as they began to put City on the back foot.

A long ball forward was heading out by goalkeeper Trafford, but only to Stefan Mols, whose attempt at catching him off his line needed the covering defender to clear.

A rare misunderstanding at the back offered City the chance to snatch it late on, Annesley missing his header which allowed substitute Harvey Griffiths the chance to break forward, but he snatched at his early shot which Eastham watched wide.

Opposite number Trafford was sent off before the final whistle was blown, flying out of his goal as Burns chased a long ball forward, his high boot catching Burns and leaving him in a heap on the floor, with the referee quickly brandishing the red card.

From the resulting free kick, Thompson swept home Harlock's free kick to cue jubilant scenes. 

The action wasn't done there, and the points not safe, until a big save with his feet from Eastham in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

TEAM NEWS

Billy Barr was without several potential starters for the Premier League 2 opener with Hayden Carter (back) and Tyler Magloire (hamstring) joining the absentees list in the last week. Joe Grayson (knee) and Jack Vale (hamstring) were already out, while the game came too soon for Dan Butterworth on his return from a back problem which has hampered him for much of the last year. Isaac Whitehall was another ruled out.

There was a first start for Connor McBride since his summer move from Celtic, playing just off Sam Burns who led the line.

Jordan Eastham lined up in goal, with a back four, right to left, of Dan Pike, Sam Barnes, Louis Annesley and Lewis Thompson. Brad Lyons and Ben Paton anchored the midfield, with Luke Brennan and Stefan Mols on the wings.

The first change, just after the hour mark, saw Jared Harlock replace Paton, with Jalil Saadi replacing McBride moments after his goal.

PLAYER WATCH

Lewis Thompson was arguably the pick of the bunch for the Under-23s last season, joining AFC Fylde in February, only able to get a handful of minutes before lockdown struck.

He was rewarded with a new one-year contract in the summer, and 21 next month, will be looking to push on this season.

His ability to get forward from left back has never been in doubt, but his ability to pick a pass, and travel with the ball, have become a standout of his play.

Rovers didn’t have much of a forward thrust in the opening hour, having to work so hard off the ball, but his work was the most eye-catching on a night of hard graft for Barr’s men.

City had little joy down his side, and inside of him, Sam Barnes and Louis Annesley, were efficient in their work, as despite the injuries in that area, Rovers aren’t short of options coming through.

Sam Burns’ hold-up play was solid enough, his workrate unquestioned leading the line alone, but he got little opportunity to build on his prolific pre-season.

Burns won a free kick with his tireless work, which saw Trafford sent off, and allowed Rovers to swing in a free kick which Thompson swept in to cap an excellent personal performance.