Robbo On Fire.

[Alan75]

Rovers kept their hopes alive for an UEFA Cup place next season, with a 4-1 win against relegation candidates Charlton on Saturday afternoon, in front of 25,000 at Ewood Park.

After a first half when Rovers had been frustrated by Charlton’s determined defence, with only four note worthy attempts at goal. A header by Gamst, a spectacular overhead kick by McCarthy, and a long rang shot by Dunn, all of which were off target plus a blistering shot by Roberts; that needed Carson the Charlton keeper to be at his best. Diving full length across the goalmouth to turn Roberts’ shot around the post.

Ironically a blunder by Carson, 15 minutes after the start of the second half, resulted in Rovers taking the lead, after the keeper allowed a stinging, low shot by Roberts to trickle through his fingers.

Three minutes later the Charlton cause wasn’t helped when, Charlton’s Thatcher was sent off for a second yellow card, after bring down Bentley on the touch line.

Rovers charitably allowed Charlton back into the game within ten minutes when Warnock’s back header gifted Bent with a goal as the ball rebounded off the bar. However Charlton’s revival was short lived when, Gamst’s cross from the left was deflected off Hreidarsson past Carson.

There was no luck involved though, when Roberts got his second goal of the afternoon. With ten minutes of the game left, some sweet footwork, flicks and back heels between McCarthy and Gamst along the left hand bye line, they set up Roberts who made no mistake, in driving the ball under Carson’s body to make it 3-1.

Three minutes later Rovers made sure of the points, when substitute Matt Derbyshire cut in from the right and shot low and hard across the keeper into the left hand corner of the net, to make it 4-1.

Post Match Comments.

Rovers manager Mark Hughes:

"Some of our attacking in the second half was very good. And we made the most of Ben Thatcher's dismissal.

"We didn't capitalise on situations in the first half but after the break we looked very strong and powerful.

"We gave them a lifeline with the goal and Charlton had to go for it but that left gaps at the back for us."

Charlton manager Alan Pardew:

"I thought events transpired against us. Blackburn were the better side in the first half but didn't really carve us open.

"It was a shame Scott Carson made a mistake for their first goal because he is probably our player of the season.

"Then we lost a man but we kept fighting and thought we were going to win it. But it got away from us."