ROVERS booked their place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup after a comfortable 4-0 victory over FK Vetra at Ewood Park.

Morten Gamst Pedersen got the first on 25 minutes, heading home David Bentley's pin-point pass, but it was in the second half when Rovers took full control with three goals in seven minutes.

Three minutes after the restart it was Pedersen the provider as he crossed for Roberts to net with a simple tap-in, then McCarthy acrobatically volleyed home a Bentley centre.

Morten Gamst Pedersen was credited with his second of the afternoon when his free-kick found the back of the net, although Christopher Samba had strong claims on the final touch.

Unlike the first game in Vilnius, Rovers were rarely troubled by FK Vetra and they were able to see out the remainder of the game with ease to secure safe passage into the UEFA Cup 2nd qualifying round.

With the cushion of a 2-0 lead going into the second leg Rovers knew that they could approach the game with confidence, early possession and attacks giving promise to what was to come.

Benni McCarthy had the first chance of note, latching onto Samba's header but his volley flew across goal, a minute later the South African was fed by Andre Ooijer, but on his weaker left foot he dragged his effort wide.

At the midway point of the half came Vetra's best chance to cause an upset, Brazilian striker Severino beat Rovers' offside trap with ease, through on goal he shot past Brad Friedel, but also past the far post to Rovers' relief.

The side from Vilnius were then to rue that missed opportunity as Rovers took the lead from their very next attack. Aaron Mokoena did when he does best in breaking up play, the ball found Jason Roberts in the right corner, he played the ball back to David Bentley's cross was expertly headed into the back of the net by the arriving Pedersen. The Norwegian doing really well to get his head to the ball despite the close attentions of a Vetra defender.

That eased any nerves Rovers had and they were able to see out the remainder of the half with ease. McCarthy fired wide after good work from Roberts, then the tables were turned when McCarthy set up Roberts, but the striker saw his near-post effort turned behind by Zutautas.

Five minutes before the break Rovers' task was made all the more easier when Vetra captain Miloseski was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Rovers wasted no time in increasing their advantage after the break, Morten Gamst Pedersen's fine work down the left saw him take the ball to the touchline before squaring it for Jason Roberts to net from a yard out with a simple tap-in.

Five minutes later an McCarthy made it three with the goal of the game, Bentley again the provider with a perfect cross for McCarthy to bag his second pre-season goal with an acrobatic effort, the South African leaping to fire the ball home in a crowded area.

The fourth goal followed moments later when Morten Gamst Pedersen's free-kick from the right found its way into the bottom corner of the goal. The Norwegian was credited with the goal, but Christopher Samba will have had strong claims as it did appear to have glanced off the giant defender on its way to goal.

The fourth prompted Mark Hughes to make a double change, Maceo Rigters getting his first outing at Ewood Park, as he and Matt Derbyshire replaced Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy.

Rovers could and perhaps had more goals, Matt Derbyshire was thwarted by the Vetra 'keeper Zutautas on a number of occasions, whilst Morten Gamst Pedersen saw a couple of fierce efforts flash inches over the bar.

Substitute Robertas Vezevicius nearly rewarded the fifty travelling Vetra fans with a goal five minutes from time, but his effort rolled agonisingly wide of goal.

So its all eyes on the draw in Nyon on Friday August 3rd for Rovers to find out where they'll be going next on their European adventure.

ROVERS: Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen (c), Warnock, Bentley, Mokoena (sub Dunn 53 mins), Savage, Pedersen, McCarthy (sub Derbyshire 57 mins), Roberts (sub Rigters 57 mins).

Subs not used: Enckelman, Tugay, Henchoz, Gallagher.

FK VETRA: Zutautas, Botelho, Sasnauskas, Skerla, Usachev, Panka (sub Raliukonis 82 mins), Bozinovski, Juska (sub Vezevicius 58 mins), Miloseski, Azizi (sub Karcemarskas 74 mins), Severino.

Subs not used: Kozyrev (GK), Butrimavicius, Stankevicius, Tselyukh.

Attendance: 11,854