Manager Dean Saunders labelled this afternoon’s pre-season friendly game ‘difficult’ however admitted it was a good test for the squad.

‘It was a difficult match, they are a good team so it was a decent test for us.,’ he said

‘The pitch was bumpy and the grass was a bit long so we couldn’t move the ball around as we wanted to, we’ve had a tough week so I was pleased with the effort and the determination to get us back in the game.’

Two goals from Kyle Bennett earned much praise from the Rovers boss, who revealed he was trying to negotiate a new contract with the exciting young midfielder.

‘I’m trying to sort him a new contract out for him,’ said Saunders

‘As you can see he’s got bags of ability, he’s a working progress for me,. It’s a challenge to keep him focused for 90 minutes and on the simple things of football.

‘He’s come back looking really good and caused some damage, he created all three goals at Grimsby and scored two today.

‘I was saying to him, before the game, if he can get to double figures this season, forget the Championship he can bypass that and get straight to the Premier League.’

Trialist Karl Hawley was given 45 minutes in the game after only two full training with the squad.

‘Karl trained properly for the first time on Thursday and Friday, as I’ve said before its difficult when your training flat out, we would never have done what we did yesterday on a Friday, so it didn’t surprise me that he looked a little leggy today.’

The Rovers boss is hoping to have some more news on the transfer front next week, after speaking to another target before the game.

‘I’ve still got to get players in before we can mould the team, ideally you do that six weeks before the season starts. We have got three weeks to go but I still need four or five in before we start.

‘I’ve got irons in the fire, I met a player this morning and he will have an answer to me by Monday and we’ve got a couple of offers in for players which we are waiting on.’