Rovers U18s recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they clinched a last-gasp winner against Morecambe in the EFL Youth Alliance League Cup.
Frank Sinclair’s side travelled to the Morecambe & Lancaster College 3G knowing only a maximum of points would keep them alive in group three and Deshaun Musgrave-Dore gave his side the all important winner in the game’s final minute.
The result sees Rovers sit second in their group just three points behind the Shrimps who have played an extra game.
The hosts got play underway in the north west but both sides saw chances come at a premium in the early stages of the game as the visitors got used to a tricky astroturf on The Bay.
Rovers did have the ball in the back of the net though in the first half.
Will Green played a superb ball in behind for Harry Wood to pick up and round the keeper but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside and the search for the opener went on.
Wood then had another effort with a free kick from the edge of the box on the left but his shot sailed just over the far corner.
They were was the best chances of the opening half though as the game opened up with the ball going from end-to-end but with no real opening for either side, the deadlock remained at the break.
Upon the restart, Morecambe found the first chance of the second-half when an attacker found enough space in front of goal to lash a shot at goal but it went just over the crossbar to deny the hosts the lead.
Jacob Bryant was then called into action to deny a striker one-on-one but he made himself big enough to smother the ball and clear the danger.
Rovers then had a series of corners and edged ever closer to goal but the Shrimps defence had a man in front of everything at the last to frustrate the youth team even more.
Sinclair then made his first change of the game as Jamie Tomlinson made way for U16s striker Rhomani Murray and his side pushed for the all-important goal that they needed.
Rovers were clearly in the attacking ascendancy closing in on the final minutes and had another string of set-pieces but with still no goal found, Jaiden Campbell-Ryce and Musgrave-Dore took the places of Wood and Oliver Piekarski respectively.
A number of shots and crosses looked to be heading goal bound for the youth team in the final minutes but Morecambe’s defence stood in the way of everything as Rovers’ cup dreams looked to be slipping from their grasp.
However in the last minute, their moment came.
Kenzie Dillon was the first to react to a loose ball on the edge of the box and he fired it into the centre of the box where Murray was able to knock down for Musgrave-Dore who placed home and cued huge celebrations as Bryant ran the length of the pitch to get involved.
From the restart there was only enough time for one Morecambe attack but it came to nothing and Rovers had snatched a deserved last-gasp winner in the north west.
Rovers U18s now turn their attentions back to EFL Youth Alliance League action as they welcome Bradford City to the Hoober Homes Elite Performance Centre on Saturday, November 18.