AN injury to striker Gary McEvatt 15 minutes into Kendal Town's friendly against a Blackburn Rovers XI has hit boss Lee Ashcroft's pre-season plans.

McEvatt, who scored in Town's 5-1 defeat to Carlisle United on Friday night, had the home fans cheering when he poked home Mark Peers' cross with just 50 seconds later.

But on 15 minutes, after Rovers had equalised through Aaron Doran, McEvatt came off worse when going in for the ball with keeper Matthew Urwin and was stretchered off.

McEvatt, who was expected to lead the Town attack in the Evo-Stik league in August, appeared to fall awkwardly in the collision and it is feared he has knee ligament damage which could rule him out for anything from three weeks to three months.

He was replaced by triallist Nathan Taylor on a day when Ashcroft swept the changes with no fewer than six starting line up switches from Friday night.

After levelling the tie Blackburn turned on the style and went 2-1 up on 24 minutes when Micah Evans latched onto a through ball and slotted under keeper Craig Dootson to the bottom right corner.

Just four minutes later Jamie McLaren was tripped inside the box and he stepped up to make it 3-1 to the visitors.

Despite the two goal deficit Town showed promising signs with Peers and Williams running the wings with some zip and delivering good crosses for the waiting Taylors - Alex and Nathan.

But just before the break, with Town looking to see the half out, Rovers made it 4-1 with midfielder James Knowles firing home after Dootson parried an Evans' effort.

Ashcroft made four changes at the break, introducing triallists Dan Barnett, John Moss, Andy Bell and veteran Ian Kilford.

But it was a case of more of the same from a Rovers side which made five half time substitutions.

Fresh legs gave the visitors more pace up front and before long they had stretched their lead to 5-1 as Tom Hitchcock poked home after Dootson could only block Osayamen Osawe's near post strike.

Two further goals from Hitchcock capped a great day for the visitors while Ashcroft will be making some tough calls on his pre-season triallists.

Despite the scoreline though, Town showed spells of fine, flowing football, with Alex Taylor, Danny Williams and Mark Peers offering plenty in attack.

And as time was called on the game Town had chances of a second consolation when first Stuart Howson knocked a ball wide at the back post and then Bell headed wide at the near post.

The signs are there for Town after just 180 minutes of pre-season football and next up is the visit of Blackpool to Parkside Road on Saturday, July 16. Kick off 3pm.