Brighton edge Blackburn winAn own goal from Matt Kilgallon was enough to give Brighton a crucial 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers in the Sky Bet Championship.The Blackburn captain made the unfortunate telling contribution in the 26th minute with a header that gave Jason Steele no chance.It was all they deserved in a first half dominated by the visitors who struck a post and forced Steele into a superb save just before half-time.To their credit, Blackburn piled on the pressure in the second half and David Stockdale produced a wonderful save to deny Jordan Rhodes.But Chris Hughton's side held on to end a run of six away games without victory by recording their first Ewood Park win since 1990.Blackburn's home woes continued, and they have recorded just one win from their last five at home.Rovers boss Gary Bowyer made three changes from the Brentford defeat, including a recall for Jay Spearing for the injured Corry Evans.Brighton brought in Chris O'Grady for Leon Best who is ineligible against his parent club, in one of four changes from the draw at Millwall.O'Grady fired an early warning in the 10th minute when he was able to cut in from the left before hammering a low effort onto the post and wide.He was in the action again soon after when good build-up play released Joao Teixeira who fired wide from 30 yards.The vistors' enterprise was rewarded with the lead midway through the half as O'Grady's great right-wing cross was met by Kilgallon, whose near-post header flashed past the helpless Steele.It woke Blackburn up and they enjoyed more possession but Teixeira almost doubled the lead three minutes from the break with a stretching shot outside the area that Steele clawed away.Rovers finally worked Stockdale a minute later when Ben Marshall weaved to find space at the edge of the area but his powerful effort was tipped behind.The home crowd continued to be frustratedAlex Baptiste sliced a clearance just behind his own net, while at the other end, Kilgallon's tame volley was straight at Stockdale.Blackburn thought they had equalised on the hour when Rhodes met Tom Cairney's right-wing cross with his head, but Stockdale somehow got down to his left to tip away.Their pressure continued, as Stockdale held Rudy Gestede's powerful header from a Spearing corner.His strike partner Rhodes failed to make the most of space in front of the Brighton defence when his placed effort went straight at Stockdale after 73 minutes.Brighton were indebted to Stockdale again 10 minutes later when he palmed over Markus Olsson's rasping drive and they held on to leave Blackburn 12 points away from the top six
Source : PA
Source: PA