Rovers Under-23s made it two wins from two in Premier League 2 after a stunning second half display against Leicester City.

Billy Barr’s side scored four times in the final half an hour, the scoring started off by Lewis Thompson.

Connor McBride made a spectacular impact from the bench, scoring twice, before teeing up fellow substitute Luke Brennan to slam home a fourth.

THE ACTION

Rovers dominated the early stages, with Harry Chapman curling narrowly over the bar from the left edge of the box the closest they came. They did almost take the lead moments before, a fine Dan Pike cross just out of reach of Sam Burns before the sliding Brad Lyons almost turned home.

Burns then had a shot blocked from a Stefan Mols knockdown from a Lewis Thompson cross, with Louis Annesley’s effort from a corner suffering a similar fate.

The other first half opportunity saw John Buckley block an attempted clearance from goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk but the ball dropped the wrong side of the post.

Leicester took time to grow into the game, former Rover Callum Wright booked for a late tackle, but they did have the game’s clearest opening in the 20th minute, created by good wing play by Vontae Daley-Campbell, but Ali Reghba failed to test Andrew Fisher in the Rovers goal.

The second half started with a competitive edge, but Rovers threatened first with Stefan Mols getting his head to a Thompson cross which forced Stolarczyk into a save.

He was in the action again 12 minutes into the second period, Chapman controlling an Annesley ball over the top but hit his left foot effort too close to the ‘keeper.

For all their pressing and territory Rovers should have fallen behind just after the hour mark. Louis Annesley was caught on the ball, with Regbha teeing up Mitchell Clark who lacked composure as he ballooned an effort over the bar.

At the midway point of the half Rovers went as close as they had all night. Buckley split the Leicester defence to find Thompson whose saved was parried into the path of Chapman whose rebound looked to be heading in until Clark got back to clear off the line.

Rovers were denied for long however, taking the lead with 21 minutes to play. Chapman’s deep corner was met on the volley by Thompson, a deflection taking it into the corner.

Connor McBride, moments after coming on, fancied a second goal in two games, but sliced his attempt from 18 yards wide of the target as Leicester backed off.

His wait wasn’t long however, with the clock ticking towards the 80th minute when he put Rovers 2-0 ahead. Chapman’s workrate won the ball back and the attacker, locked in a foot race with Sam Hughes, got the better of his marker before showing his composure to fire home the second.

His impact couldn’t have been more profound, two minutes later adding his second, and Rovers’ third. Again Chapman was involved, this time playing in the overlapping Pike to cut the ball back for McBride to slam into the roof of the net.

McBride then turned provider, teeing up fellow sub Luke Brennan. He rather selfishly shot himself, rather than returning the favour to McBride, but Stolarczyk held on to his effort.

The pair did link up to good effect before the final whistle, Brennan getting his name on the scoresheet with a composed finish from another McBride pass.

AYALA WATCH

Daniel Ayala travelled as 19th man to Derby County and was included for his first minutes since signing in the Premier League 2 clash.

He partnered Louis Annesley in central defence and saw plenty of the ball as Rovers dominated possession. Much of his use of the ball saw him play the ball out to full back Dan Pike, across to his defensive partner or to Jacob Davenport, the deepest-lying midfielder, but there were the occasional long switches of play.

Defensive his standout qualities looked his positioning, particularly when defending wide crosses. Several times he got across to the near post to deal with the danger,

Vontae Daley-Campbell was a real flier down the Leicester right, his cross on the half hour mark well dealt with by the Spaniard who cleared his lines with a fine header.

His second half was very comfortable, with Rovers fully on top, his night ended on 62 minutes as Joe Grayson came on in his place.

Rovers are next in action on Friday against Manchester United (2pm) when Ayala could get more minutes under his belt.

TEAM NEWS

Daniel Ayala wasn’t the only first-team player to get minutes under his belt.

With a free week for the first-team, Jacob Davenport anchored the midfield, while Harry Chapman lined up on the left wing, with John Buckley playing in central midfield as the Under-23s mirrored the first-team’s 4-3-3 formation.

Andrew Fisher got a chance in goal, with Jordan Eastham having started the win over Man City, one of five changes made by Billy Barr.

There was good news on the bench as Isaac Whitehall shook off his recent back issue to be involved.

Buckley made Rovers tick from the middle of the pitch, his switches of play a standout of his display, operating from a slightly deeper position that he usually operates when featuring for the Academy side.

Chapman had a hand in all three goals, while his workrate off the ball was just as impressive.

Grayson replaced Ayala just after the hour for Rovers’ first change, their second with 14 minutes remaining as Connor McBride replaced Sam Burns.

The final change for Rovers, moments after going 2-0 up, saw Luke Brennan replace Stefan Mols.