LEAGUE champions Rovers Ladies kept up their winning form with a dominant 4-0 away win over Stoke City Ladies.

Alex Taylor and Sophie Charlton scored early on before second-half strikes from Lynda Shepherd and Saffron Jordan sealed a fifth win on the bounce for Gemma Donnelly's side.

Rovers came out of the blocks quickly and were soon ahead thanks to a stunning strike from Taylor. Saffron Jordan's cross evaded Charlton in the middle but Taylor kept the ball alive and fired in an unstoppable strike from a tight angle.

It was soon two as Charlton was left free in the box to tap home from Lagan Makin's cross and net her fifth goal in as many games since joining from Fylde Ladies.

The visitors continued to dominate proceedings as Lynda Shepherd's effort landed on the roof of the net before Jordan had a great chance to make it three. Amy Burnside was down quickly to thwart her effort from Makin's cross.

Stoke started to come into the game as Hannah Keryakoplis, Emily Owen and Tash Tezgel all fired wide and over Rovers' goal.

Back at the other end, only the bar denied Natasha Fenton's header from giving Rovers a bigger advantage, before Makin shot wide from distance.

Jordan then tried an acrobatic overhead kick that was saved by Burnside.

Stoke had their chances to reduce the deficit, but Manchester City loanee Fran Stenson was on form, keeping out Owen's effort before Amy Hughes' half-volley came back off the post.

Hughes then found herself one-on-one with the Rovers keeper but again Stenson was out to deny her.

Rovers were soon back in their stride. Holbrook dragged a shot wide before Jordan headed Fenton's inch-perfect ball the wrong side of the bar.

And the visitors were awarded a penalty when Owen handled Taylor's hooked ball back into the box. The skipper Shepherd stepped up to fire the ball into the bottom corner to score her second penalty in as many games and give the Blues a three goal lead.

Holbrook, substitute Natasha Flint and Makin all went close before Rovers grabbed an elusive fourth goal.

Top scorer Jordan wrapped up the scoring for the away side with 10 minutes to go, running onto Fenton's through ball to slot the ball into the corner.

It could have been five had Flint scored an injury time penalty after Makin was tripped in the box, but her spot-kick hit the bar.

Rovers are back at Bamber Bridge on Tuesday night when they host Huddersfield Town Ladies, (7:45pm).

ROVERS: Stenson, Jukes, Taylor, Shepherd (C) (Walsh 74), Holbrook, Fenton, Jordan, Makin, McDonald, Fletcher, Charlton (Flint 60).