Liverpool Res 2 Blues Res 0

Last updated : 26 January 2005 By Brian Cartlidge

John Welsh after 26 minutes and a Neil Mellor strike five minutes before the break gave the Reds victory against Keith Bertschin's side who were forced to play most of the second period with just ten men after full back Tom Parratt was sent off for a second bookable offence on 53 minutes.

Liverpool: Carson, Otsemobor, Warnock, Raven, Whitbread, Potter, Foy (Wilkie 80), Welsh, Mellor, Mannix, Smyth. Subs unused: Luzi, O'Donnell, Smith, Guthrie.

Blues: Vaesen, Parratt, Alsop, Oji, Hall, Howland, Till, Birley, Barrowman, Kuqi (Hicks 79), Motteram. Subs not used: Adam Legzdins, Liam Reynolds, James Blake, Davion Hamilton.