ROVERS maintained their unbeaten start to the season, but will be disappointed to have come away from Goodison Park with just the solitary point.

Roque Santa Cruz was there to make it three goals from just four appearances for Mark Hughes' men when on 15 minutes he reacted quickest after Morten Gamst Pedersen had hit the crossbar.

Rovers dominated the first half, but didn't have more goals to show for their impressive play, and they were finally made to pay when James McFadden fired home from close range with 12 minutes to go.

Both sides had chances to win it in a frantic finale, Bentley saw an effort strike the crossbar late on, but after putting in their most impressive display of the season so far, a point is scant reward.

Before the game both sets of teams and fans alike stood and applauded for a minute to remember the life of Everton fan Rhys Jones who was murdered earlier in the week. Brad Friedel had presented the family a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the club before the game.

With Nelsen absent through suspension, his place was taken by Dutchman Andre Ooijer, whilst Benni McCarthy returned to the starting line-up alongside Roque Santa Cruz to form the front partnership that every Rovers fan wanted to see.

It didn't take long for that partnership to take effect when on four minutes McCarthy's deft touch saw David Bentley deliver the ball over the top for Santa Cruz to chase onto, outpacing the flatfooted Everton defence, the Paraguayan controlled the ball on his chest, but his near post effort was smothered by Tim Howard.

Five minutes it was fellow American Brad Friedel's turn to be called into action, down quickly to his right to stop a free-kick from the dangerous Mikel Arteta. Two minutes later it was Friedel, wearing the captain's armband in the absence of Ryan Nelsen, who denied Johnson, a Neville free-kick into the area was cleared by Samba but only into the path of the England striker, he fired the ball back through the pack with interest forcing Friedel to punch clear.

But those two chances for the home side were a rarity as Rovers soon took charge. Robbie Savage's clever lob saw Morten Gamst Pedersen shoot at goal courtesy of an overhead kick, with Howard beaten all ends up, the ball cannoned off the crossbar, Roque Santa Cruz was first to react to fire in his third goal this season.

Only the fingertips of Tim Howard stopped Rovers from increasing their lead, firstly he tipped a superb corner from Bentley around the post as Samba and co. lurked at the back post, then following another impressive passing move, David Dunn's left-footed strike seemed destined to the top corner of the net until Howard's timely intervention.

Moments before that Samba thought he'd grabbed a second from yet another dangerous Bentley corner kick, but Leighton Baines, making his debut in an Everton shirt, was there on the line to head away.

Everton did have their moments, a McFadden centre from the left deflected into the path of Johnson forcing Friedel into making a fine block, whilst Andre Ooijer had to dive in front of the Everton striker to block an effort on goal.

But like the start of the half, Rovers ended strongly, another sweeping move saw Roque Santa Cruz find Bentley with a deft touch, his cross found Pedersen arriving at the back post, but his powerful header was well saved by Howard.

As referee Mike Riley blew for half-time, the only disappointment for Mark Hughes and his side was that they hadn't more goals to show for their first half dominance.

Rovers started the second half like they ended the first, Howard having to be alert to punch clear after yet another centre from Bentley caused the Everton defence headaches.

But slowly the home side started to look the part, a ball into the Rovers box wasn't claimed by Friedel, Johnson centred for Jagielka, but he somehow headed wide from just six yards.

Stung by that Everton chance Rovers immediately went on the attack, Emerton driving at Howard from distance.

But all the great work by the eleven men in red and black came undone with twelve minutes remaining. Roque Santa Cruz, who was otherwise outstanding, tried to keep the ball in play on the touchline, it was quickly shifted to Mikel Arteta who's left foot cross was driven home from close-range by James McFadden arriving at speed. Friedel had no chance as the ball nestled into the corner of the net.

Arteta, like Everton, had been quiet all afternoon, but if you don't take your chances, you will go on to live to regret.

That goal finally woke the home fans from their slumber and they urged their team on for a second, Arteta swung over another dangerous ball, substitute Victor Anichebe thrust out a boot, but thankfully couldn't connect in the crowded area. The with just four minutes remaining fellow sub Phil Jagielka volleyed wide from the edge area after a goalmouth scramble.

But in the closing stages it was Rovers again who could have grabbed all three points, Santa Cruz's flick-header from Pedersen's corner kick flashed across goal, then with almost the last kick of the game a David Bentley free-kick deflected towards goal only for Tim Howard to touch the ball onto the crossbar, Derbyshire couldn't find the back of the net, putting the rebound wide.

So Rovers keep their unbeaten start to the season intact, and go into the UEFA Cup match against MyPa on Thursday night in excellent form. If they play against the Finns like they did against Everton then it should see them safely through, but alas this afternoon, despite their domination, a point is all they have to show for their troubles. 

EVERTON: Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Yobo, Arteta, Johnson, McFadden, Stubbs, Neville (c), Osman, Carsley. Subs: Wessel (GK), Lescott, Jagielka, Pienaar, Anichebe.

ROVERS: Friedel (c), Emerton, Ooijer, Samba, Warnock, Bentley, Dunn, Savage, Pedersen, McCarthy, Santa Cruz. Subs: Brown (GK), Tugay, Mokoena, Derbyshire, Roberts.