ROVERS' Academy ended their season on a disappointing note with a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

In strong windy conditions it was a game of few goalmouth opportunities, the visitors taking the lead on the stroke of half-time, then doubling their tally on the hour mark, before Kris Paterson scored a late consolation for Rovers.

The home side started brightly enough, a fine run down the left involving Kris Paterson and Josh Morris saw the ball moved inside to David Ryan, but his 12th minute effort was deflected wide.

Five minutes later Jake Simpson saw his free-kick tipped over the bar.

Gary Bowyer's side continued to have the better of the opportunities in the final third, Tom Hitchcock seeing an effort cleared off the line, before Rovers had strong claims for a penalty waved away after Alex Marrow was brought down in the area (pictured).

But just as a chance to regroup at half-time beckoned the visitors took a surprise lead, a simple ball over the top saw the Wolves forward beat the offside trap before lobbing the advancing Bjorn Bussman to open the scoring.

Boosted by their goal late in the first half, Wolves came out much the better side in the second and doubled their lead on 60 minutes, a mistake by Gavin Gunning allowing the Wolves striker to get through and beat Bussman with an angled shot.

Rovers struggled to find a way back into the game, Tom Hitchcock looked to be through on goal only to be brought back due to a late linesman's flag, but the 15 year-old striker did play his part in the home side finally registering.

A long ball out of defence caught Wolves napping, their goalkeeper was closed down well by Hitchcock before Kris Paterson ran fully 60 yards to join play and apply the finishing touch.

There was however little time for any chance of a comeback as the referee's whistle signaled disappointing end to the campaign.

After the game under 18s coach Bowyer said: "We were poor, probably our worst performance of the season. It was a scrappy game and we didn't get our passing going, again the first goal was a poor goal to concede from our point of view, and the second, Gunning defended poorly.

"We didn't really create the chances we had done recently, so it was a disappointing way to end of the season.

"But we'll continue to work hard, we've a tournament in Switzerland in May to prepare for."

ROVERS: Bussman, C. O'Connor (c), Bateson, Gunning, Paterson, Simpson (sub Kennedy 72 mins), Ryan, Marrow, Morris, Marshall, Hitchcock.

Subs not used: Arestidou, Kavanagh, Brierley, Roberts.