NEW BOYS Jason Roberts and Frannie Jeffers bagged debut goals last night as Blackburn Rovers strolled to a comfortable pre-season victory at Accrington Stanley.

In front of an all-ticket crowd at Stanley's Fraser Eagle Stadium, striker Roberts gave an early sighter to his predatory qualities with a cool, composed finish.

But the former Wigan man, a £2.2million summer purchase, only completed half-an-hour before trudging off with a suspected groin injury.

The powerful Grenadan international earned his first appearance in a Rovers shirt alongside Jeffers, another of Mark Hughes' recent signings.

And the ex-Arsenal man also made an immediate impact following his free transfer move from Charlton Athletic, finishing off a swift counter-attack move with a neat header.

Both forwards led the line from the kick-off, as Rovers got their pre-season programme off to a winning start.

An entertaining derby saw Paul Gallagher star in midfield alongside David Bentley, Robbie Savage and Morten Gamst Pedersen.

In defence, Didier Agathe, on trial at Ewood Park after being released by Celtic, slotted in well at right-back, with Michael Gray on the opposite flank and captain Andy Todd partnering Zurab Khizanishvili in the centre.

Stanley boss John Coleman fielded a strong first-half team, as he did in his side's 8-0 mauling of Bootle on Saturday.

Given a chance to shine were former Reading midfielder Simeon Howell, who gave a good account in the Reds' 3-2 friendly defeat to Burnley, and French forward Steve Guillerme.

Both looked to impress with Coleman keen to bolster squad numbers ahead of Stanley's big return to the Football League on August 5.

A bumper crowd of 2,957 were treated to a lively start, with Roberts making his mark in the first few minutes.

Strong play from the former Portsmouth man helped tee up Jeffers outside the box, but the Liverpudlian missed the chance to open his account by fizzing over.

Stanley, far from overawed against their Premiership neighbours, came within a whisker of taking a 10th minute lead.

Robbie Williams was poised to tuck home Ian Craney's inswinging corner at the far post, but Georgian Khizanishvili stepped in to clear off the line.

Before the Reds had time to re-organise, they went behind following excellent work from Gallagher.

The 20-year-old checked in from the left and launched a low long-range drive that Stanley goalkeeper Rob Elliot failed to hold. Running in, Roberts flashed the loose ball into the roof of the net.

Pedersen later saw his header hacked clear by Peter Cavanagh, while Robbie Savage's 20-yard free-kick went off target.

Stanley battled for an equaliser, winger Gary Roberts trying his luck from long range, but Rovers by and large were in control.

The home side changed their entire side for the second-half and, despite conceding two more goals, posed more of a threat with David Brown and Andy Mangan in attack.

Brown was thwarted by namesake Jason Brown, Blackburn's goalkeeping understudy and one of eight changes made by Hughes after the break.

Mangan then flashed a right-foot shot wide of the top corner, while great link-up play between Mangan and Brown saw the latter once again denied by the Rovers stopper.

The visitors made sure of victory on 65 minutes. Agathe raced to the by-line and delivered an expert cross for unmarked Jeffers, who headed into an empty net from close range.

Substitute Matt Derbyshire made it three 10 minutes later, beating Ian Dunbavin after his original header came back off the crossbar.

Accrington fought hard for a consolation but it never materialised, Andy Todd and former Rovers man Joel Byrom missing out at the death.

Accrington, first-half: Elliot, Cavanagh, Richardson, Williams, Welch, Howell, Doherty, Craney, Guillerme, Boco, Roberts.

Stanley, second-half: Dunbavin, Mangan, Brown, Harris, Edwards, N'Da, Foyle, Ventre, Todd, Byrom, Proctor.

Blackburn: Friedel (Brown 46), Agathe, Gray (Taylor 46), Todd (Douglas 67), Khizanishvili (Matteo 46), Gallagher, Bentley (Tugay 61), Savage (Mokoena 46), Pedersen (Peter 46), Jeffers (Derbyshire 67), Roberts (Kuqi 32).

Attendance: 2,957 Goals: Roberts 17 mins; Jeffers 65 mins; Derbyshire 75 mins.