Rovers’ youngsters missed out on a place in the LFA Professional Youth Cup final following a late 3-2 defeat against Bolton Wanderers.
Valentin Joseph and Joseph Boggan both got on the scoresheet during an entertaining second half at Brockhall.
But the visitors netted twice in the last 10 minutes to set up a final against Blackpool, who overcame Burnley on penalties in their last four tie.
Bolton started brightly and Connor Lewis sent an effort over the bar after some good work by David Abimbola.
Rovers’ fight sight of goal came from Frank Vare’s free kick but the midfielder, who has been around the senior squad at times this season, saw his strike fly over.
Abimbola continued to cause problems and thought he had opened the scoring from close range, but a Rovers defender made a crucial block.
The towering striker also delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal after using his strength to get down the left, but nobody gambled at the far post.
The opener came when Daeshon Lawrence picked out the bottom corner with a low drive from the edge of the area.
Jamie Grayson had a chance to double the lead but couldn’t convert at the far post after getting on the end of a corner. Harrison Rice also saw a header clip the top of the crossbar as Lewis’ deliveries caused problems.
Rovers didn’t have many chances in the first half but nearly got back on level terms minutes before the break when George Barlow made an impressive save to deny Joseph Boggan.
The hosts improved in the second half and Nathan Dlamini forced Barlow into another smart stop at his near post after a mazy run.
The equaliser came after more good play by Dlamini down the left. The visitors failed to clear his cross and Valentin Joseph pounced to slot home.
Bolton had a big chance to regain the lead when Lewis seized a sloppy backpass but Blake Wolsoncroft made a good block.
Moments later at the other end, Rovers were awarded a penalty and Boggan kept his cool to send Barlow the wrong way from the spot.
The tie had turned on its head but Bolton got back level 10 minutes from time when Wolsoncroft couldn’t keep hold of a cross from the left and Lewis reacted quickest to prod home.
There was one final twist in the tale as Leigh collected the ball on the edge of the box, beat his man with a clever turn and fired into the bottom corner.
Lewis had a chance to wrap up the result in stoppage time but dragged an effort wide of the near post after Corey Nuttall had won back possession high up the pitch.
Tobias Ritchie also tried an audacious effort from near the halfway line, but Wolsoncroft was relieved to see the ball drop just wide of the post.
Rovers applied plenty of pressure in the final stages but couldn’t find a breakthrough, with Bolton defending resiliently to get over the line.
Rovers: Wolsoncroft, McIlroy, Pates, Davies, Eze, Vare, Dlamini, Mansbridge, Potter, Boggan. Subs: Decandia, Thompson, Kelley-Quinn, Shaw, Sandhu.
Bolton: Barlow, Taylor, Oliver, Grayson, Rice, Smith, Irwin, Mawditt, Abimbola, C Lewis, Lawrence. Subs: Kendrick, Lomax, Leigh, Nuttall, Ritchie, Thomas, L Lewis.
