Swansea City Under-21s Blackburn Premier League Division Two
29th February
A goal in each half saw Swansea City Under-21s fall to their seventh defeat in Premier League Division Two against Blackburn.
Rovers' Anton Forrester slotted home a penalty after 16 minutes before the striker doubled the home side's lead after the break.
At the other end, Swansea saw their attempts at getting back into the game kept out by experienced first-team keeper Simon Eastwood before the full-time whistle.
The Swans made three changes heading into the game at Leigh Sports Village.
Alex Gogic returned from an ankle injury to start in defence for the first time since November, while Lee Lucas earned his first full start in midfield since his return from injury.
Gregor Zabret returned to replace Josh Vickers in goal while winger Kyle Copp was named on the bench alongside U18s wing-back Aaron Lewis.
BLACKBURN U21s: Simon Eastwood, Lewis Travis, Joshua Askew (Joseph Rankin-Costello, 74) Willem Tomlinson, Sam Lavelle (capt), Scott Wharton, Connor Mahoney (Sam Joel, 90), Lewis Hardcastle, Anton Forrester, David Carson, Connor Thomson.
SUBS NOT USED: Matthew Platt, Andrew Fisher, Lewis Mansell.
SWANS U21s: Gregor Zabret, Joe Rodon, Liam Shephard (Capt), Lee Lucas (Ryan Blair, 62), Keston Davies, Alex Gogic, Daniel James (Kyle Copp, 83) Adam King, Oliver McBurnie, Adnan Maric, Alex Bray (Botti Biabi, 71).
SUBS NOT USED: Oliver Davies, Aaron Lewis.
Swansea went on the attack early at Leigh Sports Village as Alex Bray raced down the wing to force a corner, but the cross was well saved by keeper Simon Eastwood.
The home side were awarded a penalty after 16 minutes when defender Keston Davies was adjudged to have handled in the area.
Blackburn's frontman Anton Forrester stepped up before beating Slovenian stopper Gregor Zabret from 12 yards.
Zabret then pulled off a double save to deny the hosts from extending their lead midway through the half.
The young Swans' best chance came minutes before the break as Bray latched onto a loose ball before teeing up Oliver McBurnie, only for Blackburn defender Lewis Travis to block the striker's shot.
HALF TIME: Blackburn U21s 1 Swans U21s 0
Swansea started the second half with intent as midfielder Lee Lucas rifled a free-kick goalwards from 25 yards, but his effort was punched clear by Eastwood.
The visitors went close again soon, but McBurnie could only direct his header narrowly over the bar from an Adnan Maric cross.
Despite Swansea's advances, Blackburn took a two-goal lead after 65 minutes as a cross from David Carson deflected off Alex Gogic and into the path of Forrester, who tapped home.
The Swans continued to claw their way back into the game via attempts from Liam Shephard and McBurnie, while, at the other end, Zabret kept out efforts from Carson and Mahoney.
But that was the end of the action as Blackburn held on for victory.
But that was the end of the action as Blackburn held on for victory.
