Blackburn boost play-off hopes with Championship comeback win over lowly Derby

Blackburn boosted their play-off hopes thanks to a 3-1 Championship comeback victory over struggling Derby at Ewood Park with their first win in four games.

Derby took a well-deserved lead going into the break when Ravel Morrison converted from close range after a spell of pressure.

But Rovers were not to be denied when they scored two goals in the space of six second-half minutes as Scott Wharton equalised before Tyrhys Dolan netted his fourth of the campaign, while there was still time for Sam Gallagher to add the gloss with a stoppage-time header.

The first chance of the game fell in the way of the home side when Reda Khadra’s effort form distance was comfortably saved by Ryan Allsop.

The home side forced the issue in the opening 15 minutes and enjoyed an early succession of corners without threatening the Rams goal too much.

Rovers fashioned another opening after 24 minutes as some tidy footwork from Dolan in the middle of the park laid the ball into the path of Khadra, who shot wide.

Derby claimed the breakthrough 28 minutes in after Malcolm Ebiowei had his initial shot blocked and Nathan Byrne was on hand to put the ball on a plate for Morrison to tap home for his third goal of the season.

The visitors had their tails up heading into the latter stages of the first half and almost doubled their advantage when Morrison’s powerful acrobatic volley flashed wide of the target.

Derby were given a gift of an opportunity to make it two when Tom Lawrence capitalised on some poor possession but smashed his effort straight at Thomas Kaminski as boos rang around the ground at the halfway stage.

Rovers started the second half with much more impetus and were rewarded when Joe Rothwell’s corner was met by the head of Wharton at