Sunderland Reserves 2 Blackburn Rovers Reserves 0

MARLON Broomes made his comeback in the reserves last night but he could not prevent Rovers from slipping to defeat against a slick Sunderland side.

Broomes came through a full 90 minutes after a long injury lay off with an ankle problem and Matt Jansen also returned to action following family problems.

Rovers had the better of the play over the 90 minutes but they were sunk by two killer strikes in the opening 16 minutes.

John Oster fired Sunderland ahead after just 16 seconds when he picked up the ball 25 yards out and chipped John Filan.

The home side made it 2-0 on 16 minutes when Oster then teed up Alex Rae and his shot from outside the area swerved wickedly in the air and completely wrong-footed Filan.

But Rovers rallied as Wayne Gill and Matt Jansen both had shots saved by Andy Marriott and the former Burnley stopper also clawed away a powerful Broomes header.

The visitors continued to have the better of it after the break as James Thomas headed into the side netting and the same player had a shot cleared off the line.

But the Sunderland rearguard held firm.

"The result was disappointing but the performance wasn't," said reserve team boss Terry Daracott.

"Marlon also came through it very well which was very pleasing for us although we will have to check on him today to see if there's any reaction."

Team: Filan, Kenna, Richardson, Gill, Taylor, Broomes, Fitzpatrick, Dunn, Thomas, Jansen, Corbett. Subs: Hamilton (for Fitzpatrick, 75) Not used: Scates, O'Brien, Brown, Williams.

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