Rovers come from a goal down to beat Man City U21s to make it back-to-back home wins.
Richie Wellens made eight changes to the side that beat Morecambe at the weekend with Louis Jones, Joseph Olowu, John Bostock, Aidan Barlow, Charlie Seaman, Tiago Cukur, Dan Gardner and Branden Horton all coming into the squad.
The first-half was dominated by Rovers who enjoyed plenty of chances in front of Man City’s goal with Jordy Hiwula having three shots off target in the opening half.
It was City who took the lead however, as captain Sam Edozie scored on the eight minute with the visitors first chance of the half.
Rovers almost responded immediately with a beautiful ball played over the top by Dodoo which was half volleyed by Barlow, but unfortunately the ball only hit the roof of the net. Dodoo then opened his account for Rovers on the fifteenth minute and brought the game back on level terms.
After Rovers equalised, City were forced into their first change of the evening with Darko Gyabi being replaced by Tai Sodje.
Rovers dominated from that point containing the opposition in their own half for most of the opening period. One of the stand-out moments for Rovers a brilliant bit of passive play between Dodoo and Seaman which finished with a chance for Barlow who forced an excellent save out of Slicker.
In the final five minutes of the half Barlow won a corner after an excellent shot was deflected enroute to goal. Hiwula came close to scoring from the dead ball situation, but was narrowly off target. Meaning the game finished 1-1 at half-time.
As the second-half started it was end-to-end stuff when Cukur fired wide before down the opposite end Sodje forced Jones into a comfortable save.
Bostock came close to scoring directly from a free kick with the goalkeeper beaten, but the ball flew inches wide of the post.
Eventually, Rovers got in front after Gardner’s ball from a corner bounced along the box before Dodoo volleyed home to get his and Rovers’ second of the night.
Man City turned up the heat having a spell of possession on the ball but Rovers handled themselves with Olowu at one point putting a perfectly-timed tackle to stop a threatening attack.
Things did get a bit scrappy with Isaac Smith getting a yellow card for a challenge on Bostock and five minutes later Rovers substitute Rodrigo Vilca was booked for a mistimed challenge.
City were not going down without a fight as they came close on a couple of occasions to equalising with Sodje coming the closest when he hit the post.
Rovers did well and held their own to ensure they took three points on the night.
The next Papa John's Trophy game will see Rovers travel to Scunthorpe United on November 9, 2021, with a chance of progressing through to the next round of the competition. In the meantime, Rovers could make it three wins on the bounce as they make the long trip down south to face Plymouth Argyle on September 25.