Joe Nuttall scored twice, as Dominic Samuel returned, in a victory for Rovers Under-23s against Southport this afternoon. 

Nuttall was one of the more senior faces in the side as he took his tally in pre-season matches to five having also scored in wins over Kendal Town, Macclesfield and Barrow.

The 22-year-old, attracting attention from Blackpool, opened the scoring seconds in to the second half with a fine free kick before doubling his tally later in the half.

The game was also a huge step forward for Dominic Samuel who partnered Nuttall in attack.

It was the first outing of pre-season for the 25-year-old who has battled back from a serious knee injury which has ruled him out since last August.

He is expected to build-up his fitness with more minutes for the Under-23s in the coming weeks, with a game scheduled for Wednesday at Lancaster City.

Winger Harry Chapman is yet to feature for the senior side in pre-season, but got a valuable 90 minutes under his belt, while Dan Butterworth, who has missed the last two matches with illness, also featured.

Head of Academy coaching Tony Carss led the side, with ex-Rovers Charlie Albinson and Jack Doyle in the Southport side. The game was switched to Brockhall with Southport’s pitch still undergoing maintenance work.

Albinson, released by Rovers in the summer, made some smart saves to ensure the sides went in level at the break, with Chapman, Nuttall and Samuel all going close.

Samuel was replaced at the break, and seconds later Rovers were ahead as Nuttall bent a free kick over the wall and in to the corner.

Butterworth was then denied by the post, after getting on the end of a Lewis Thompson cross, with Brad Lyons also going close.

Rovers did eventually get a second as Nuttall scored from close range after good work from Chapman.

Rovers: Fisher (Hilton, 60), Annesley (Jackson, 70), Platt (Barnes, 65), Magloire, Thompson, White (Saadi, 85), Lyons (Vale, 62), Chapman, Samuel (Mols, 46), Butterworth, Nuttall