PROMISING striker Joe Garner enhanced his growing reputation with a cooly-taken hat-trick as Rovers' Under 17s thrashed Manchester City 7-2.

Rovers completed an impressive win double over their City rivals, having beaten them 6-2 at Brockhall earlier in the campaign.

And there was no doubt who the star of the show was as Garner helped himself to a hat-trick, which took his tally for the season to 22.

Ironically, City scored first but Rovers roared back to equalise thanks to a penalty from Garner.

Strike-partner Keith Barker then added a second before Craig Barr made it 3-1 at half-time.

A sizzling 25-yarder from Barker then put Rovers further in command shortly after the break.

City pulled one back but the fightback was shortlived as Ralph Welch made it 5-2 and Garner then slotted away his second penalty before completing his hat-trick in injury time.

"It was another excellent all-round team performance in which everyone played their part," said coach Ian Miller.

Meanwhile, Rovers' Under 19s also gained a highly creditable 1-1 draw from their trip to Manchester United.

Gavin Peers scored with a brave header from Andy Taylor's free kick as Rovers took a deserved lead.

Matt Derbyshire then thought he had made it 2-0 only to see his 'goal' ruled out but United finally cracked Rovers' brave resistance to pinch a point with eight minutes left.