Rovers are rumbled by the Shrimpers

BLACKBURN ROVERS fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Southend yesterday despite being tipped as favourites for the title.

Rovers recruited the likes of Bradley Dack, Peter Whittingham and Richard Smallwood in a bid to bounce straight back to the Championship.

And all three were handed their debuts at Roots Hall but first-half efforts from Ryan Leonard and Michael Kightly put the Shrimpers in control.

Captain Charlie Mulgrew pulled one back with a free-kick but the hosts held on.

Of the other sides relegated to the third tier last term, Wigan won 1-0 at MK Dons and Rotherham lost 2-0 at Fleetwood.

Nick Powell earned the Lactics all three points in a contest which saw both sides reduced to 10 men, while Conor McAleny netted either side of the interval for Fleetwood.

Last season’s League Two champions Portsmouth secured a 2-0 victory over Rochdale.

The away side started brightly at Fratton Park, but had Keith Keane sent off after 21 minutes.

Summer signing Brett Pitman opened the scoring a minute after the interval and added his second in stoppage time after Jamal Lowe was sent to the stands.

Plymouth endured a tough start to life in League One with a 2-1 defeat at Peterborough, with Gary Sawyer putting the ball into his own net and Junior Morias adding a second shortly after half-time. Gregg Wylde scored the consolation for Plymouth.

Last season’s beaten play-off finalists Bradford beat Blackpool 2-1, whilst Charlton overcame Bristol Rovers 1-0 thanks to a Patrick Bauer (left) goal. Jermaine Beckford missed a third-minute penalty but then headed home to hand Bury a 1-0 win over Walsall.

Oxford United were 2-0 winners at Oldham with Wes Thomas and Josh Ruffels sharing the goals, whilst Shrewsbury have Lenell John-Lewis to thank for his added-time winner against Northampton. Wimbledon shared the

points at Scunthorpe with a 1-1 draw and finally Doncaster drew 0-0 with Gillingham at the Keepmoat Stadium.