Jason Dodd's youngsters picked up a point from their first game of the season up in Lancashire.

A goalless first half saw the visitors get to grips with a physical Rovers side who put Saints under pressure during the opening 45 minutes.

Dodd's team adopted a more open approach for the second period, but disappointingly found themselves a goal behind on the hour mark when the hosts played on whilst James Ward-Prowse was down injured, to run through and finish past 'keeper Steve Mowthorpe.

Saints responded to that setback by finishing the game the stronger of the two teams, and were deservedly level inside the last ten minutes when substitute Jamal BRANKER followed up from close range to tap home Calum Chambers' shot which came back off the post.

Overall, a well earned point, but the Under-18s coach was happier with the way that his side ended the game.

"It was a good experience for the boys," Dodd said afterwards. "We're trying to replicate the first team with everything that we do, and whilst we're not content with just one point, we've played well towards the end.

"The good thing is that the boys aren't satisfied with a draw either, and there will be plenty of competition for places next week."

Saints U18s: Mowthorpe, Chambers, Young, Shaw, Stephens, Ward-Prowse, Moore, Reed (Curtis 70), Rowe (McQueen 70), Bowman (Branker 58), Sinclair.