Yuki Ohashi got 45 minutes under his belt as Rovers Under-21s beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 in Premier League 2.
It was Ohashi’s first appearance since New Year’s Day after picking up an ankle injury during the draw at Leeds.
The Japan international had returned to the bench at Swansea last weekend but was an unused substitute against the Welsh outfit.
Joe Boggan netted a late winner for Rovers, with Zack Stritch and Alex Baker also getting on the scoresheet in an eventful contest.
There were three changes from the defeat at Bolton in the LFA Senior Cup quarter-final, with Pat Gamble and George Pratt also coming into the side.
The visitors looked bright in the opening 20 minutes and nearly went in front, but Jack Nadin was denied by the woodwork.
Stritch put Rovers ahead midway through the first half with a superb free kick which flew into the top corner from 25 yards.
Forest got back on level terms a few minutes later when Kristian Fletcher managed to get in behind the backline and fire home.
Nick Michalski made an impressive double save to deny Kyle McAdam and then Nadin, while Harley O’Grady-Macken saw a strike saved at the other end.
Ohashi made way at the break and his replacement, Baker, put Rovers back in front immediately after the restart from a tight angle.
Forest equalised again just before the hour mark. Michalski initially tipped a strike onto the post but Jimmy Sinclair slotted home the rebound.
The visitors had a couple of chances to go in front. Michalski made a decent save from Zach Abbott’s header and then Fletcher guided a cross just wide.
But Boggan won it at the death, smashing home from close range after some good work by O’Grady-Macken on the wing.
The result sees Rovers return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in the league and cup competitions. The youngsters now sit 22nd in the table on 14 points from 15 games.
