Rovers’ FA Youth Cup campaign was ended at the first round stage after falling to a stoppage time goal against AFC Fylde at the Eco-Power Stadium.
It was a tough battle throughout for Frank Sinclair’s U18 side who found it difficult to impose themselves on the game and show their quality.
And they were undone in the dying moments as Danny Omerod pounced to fire a game Fylde side into the next round.
The visitors started the brighter and forced several corners in the early minutes which Rovers dealt with well.
Cullen Meadowcroft headed over the bar for the visitors in their first real attempt on goal before Rovers keeper Jake Oram produced an excellent save to keep out Jack Morris’ low drive.
Fylde continued to push forward and Oram had to be alert again as Morris looked to pounce in front of goal, with Will Flint then hooking the ball off the line.
Rovers looked to have taken the lead on 16 minutes when Freddie Allen headed home Justin Bennett’s fine cross, but the flag was up for offside.
Will Green lashed a shot narrowly over the bar from the corner of the box as Rovers grew in confidence.
Green managed to get a shot away while lying on the floor after a surging run into the box at the midpoint of the half.
Fylde almost went ahead in spectacular fashion when Danny Omerod executed an overhead kick from ten yards, with the ball flashing just past the upright.
Markland fired wide with a first time effort from Ormerod’s knockdown as half time approached.
Chances were few and far between in the early stages of the second half, with the game largely bogged down in a midfield battle.
Harry Wood jinked his way into space on the edge of the box and curled for goal, with his effort headed wide in the best of the opportunities for Rovers.
The game looked to be heading for extra time until three minutes into stoppage time. Omerod wrestled his way onto a long ball forward and showed excellent composure to slot home from 15 yards to secure the win for the visitors.
Rovers: Oram, Pooley, Bacon, Flint, Allen, Bennett, Straughan-Brown (Dillon 75), Green, Wood (Musgrave-Dore 89), Campbell-Ryce (Tomlinson 61), Imariagbe. Subs not used: Bryant, Piekarski, Murray, Clarke-Thompson.
