Blackburn Rovers have announced that they have relieved Michael Appleton of his duties only 67 days into the job. The former Portsmouth and Blackpool manager had taken charge in January with the aim of guiding Rovers back to the Premier League, but a poor run of form has seen the side slip down the table and they now sit dangerously close to the relegation zone. Appleton was Rovers' fifth manager of the season and had only been at the club for 15 matches, but he managed to pick up just 4 wins and the owners and board have made the decision that he was unlikely to turn the situation around. The highlight of his tenure was undoubtedly the FA Cup win at the Emirates that saw the side progress to the quarter-finals of the competition, but a disappointing defeat against Millwall saw the side crash out in a replay at Ewood Park. The match against Arsenal was the last time that the side won and the 8-game winless stretch has been disastrous for the league campaign. Appleton's last match in charge was against Burnley last Sunday and the side was only saved from a first defeat against their local rivals in 34 years by a last-gasp equaliser from David Dunn. Appleton was a relatively inexperienced appointment and the former West Brom player has won only 9 games during his spells at three different clubs. It is unclear if there is anyone in line to take charge before the end of the season, but Gary Bowyer will assume caretaker duties for the second time this season. Bowyer had been in charge of the side for the four matches immediately before Appleton's appointment and guided the side to three wins and a draw. It is likely that the power struggle within the boardroom will once again be a factor during the recruitment process, but it is clear that Rovers cannot continue to change their manager on such a regular basis. In addition to terminating the contract of Appleton, the club also announced that assistant manager Ashley Westwood, first team coach Darren Moore and head of senior recruitment Luke Dowling had also been relieved of their duties. All three had been appointed by Appleton and it leaves Rovers with a threadbare coaching staff. View full article

David Dunn scored in the 5th minute of injury time to rescue a point for Rovers and save Rovers' 34-year unbeaten run against Burnley. It was a dramatic end to a game of few chances that also saw Burnley reduced to 10 men. The game got off to a fast start, with both sides playing physically and challenging for the ball. There was certainly no shortage of commitment, but there was little quality and neither side created much in the opening exchanges. The first talking point of the match came when Jordan Rhodes got his head to the ball, but was caught in the face by a very high boot, drawing blood from the Rovers striker, but the referee chose to not award a penalty. It was a peculiar decision, but Burnley took advantage of their good fortune by pressing forward and would have taken the lead had it not been for a fine save from Kean that denied Paterson. Burnley were enjoying a good spell of dominance and they grabbed the lead half an hour into the match. They were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area and Wallace whipped in an excellent ball that was headed onto the post by Shackell. The Burnley captain really should have scored, but the ball came back in his direction and he reacted quickly to stab the ball home and grab his first goal for the club. The goal seemed to give Burnley added confidence and they nearly doubled their lead from another set-piece, this time Wallace choosing to shoot, but his curling effort clipped the outside of the post as Kean watched on helplessly. Appleton tried to change things at half-time, bringing on Morris in the place of Best in an attempt to win the midfield battle and increase Rovers' attacking threat, but for the opening period of the second half Rovers failed to create any chances. Burnley looked comfortable and were happy to sit back and defend their lead, but the match was changed when Mee was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 66th minute after he had fouled Hanley. It was the full-back's second booking in seven minutes and he could have no complaints with the decision, although he tried to avoid his fate by staying on the ground long after the foul had been awarded. A renewed sense of optimism spread throughout the home crowd and Rovers pressed forward and nearly got back on level terms immediately after the dismissal when Olsson burst into the box and fired across goal, but his effort was well cut out. Rovers pushed forward and the match began to resemble a training ground exercise as Burnley sat back and tried to hold onto their lead and it looked as if the away side would grab a famous win to end a 34-year winless run against their local rivals, but in the 5th minute of injury time Rovers finally grabbed a goal. The ball found its way to David Dunn inside of the box and the midfielder scored with a first-time left-footed finish. Dunn clearly enjoyed the goal, removing his shirt and celebrating in front of the Burnley supporters, a special moment for the lifelong Rovers supporter who has a history of scoring against Burnley. It was a dramatic end to the game and Rovers probably deserved their point, although it was another match where they failed to create little and were outplayed for large parts of the game. Rovers sit dangerously close to the relegation zone, although it's highly unlikely that the club could drop down to League One, and this draw will go some way towards maintaining at least some feeling of pride in a club that has suffered so much over the past couple of seasons. Rovers and Burnley shared the spoils this season and neither side has had a successful league campaign, but at least Rovers supporters can still cling to a 34-year unbeaten run and hope that it might continue for years to come. View full article

Rovers are 1-0 down to Burnley at half-time at Ewood Park. It has been a fairly even first 45 minutes, but Burnley grabbed the lead from a set-piece in a match where there have been few chances. Rovers will feel that they should have had a penalty when the game was goalless, but as of yet the home side have failed to create any real goal-scoring opportunities. The opening exchanges were fast and physical, but neither side was able to grab the ascendancy or create any real chances. One or two Burnley players were lucky to escape bookings for cynical fouls in their own half, but Rovers will feel most aggrieved by the fact that they were not awarded a penalty. Rhodes got his head to the ball first and he was caught in the face by a boot, leading to a bloody nose for the striker, but the referee waved play on. Shortly after, Burnley created their first chance of the game, but Kean produced a fabulous save to tip Paterson's effort over the bar. That marked the start of a good spell for Burnley and they made it count when they took the lead from a set-piece. Wallace put in a fantastic delivery and Shackell headed onto the post when he should have scored, but was fortunate to see the ball rebound in his direction and he was able to react first and stab home to score his first goal for Burnley. The away side nearly doubled their lead minutes later when Wallace produced another fine set-piece, but this time his effort on goal clipped the post when Kean was stranded. Rovers have failed to create any real chances and have passed up several opportunities to put the ball in the box from set-pieces in dangerous areas. They will undoubtedly feel hard done by, but will need to improve if they are to get back into this match and avoid losing to Burnley for the first time in 34 years. View full article

It has become a familiar story for Blackburn Rovers over the past two seasons, but once again they lost a game late in the day and left the Reebok with nothing after an encouraging performance that warranted at least a point. Rovers hit the woodwork twice and possibly just edged the balance of play in an open game, but were punished when Chris Eagles scored with virtually the last kick of the game to win the match for Bolton. For some weeks now, Michael Appleton has been saying that the players would be held accountable for their performances and that no place in the team was safe, and tonight he proved that to be the case as he dropped four players from the team that played so poorly against Peterborough on Saturday. Bentley, Rekik and Orr dropped to the bench and Murphy was left out of the side completely. The decision to leave the club captain out of the side will no doubt have sent a strong message to the rest of the players and they seemed to respond in the early stages of the match. Full debuts were handed to recent loan signings David Jones and Cameron Stewart, both of whom had impressed as substitutes last Saturday. Rovers played with significantly more pace and purpose than they have in recent weeks and defended calmly and competently, something that had been missing in defeats to Peterborough and Leicester. The first half was open and end to end, but neither side seriously tested the opposition goalkeeper and chances were few and far between. Bolton had a strong penalty appeal turned down, but it was Rovers who went closest to opening the scoring late in the half when Pedersen's free-kick was flicked on by Hanley, but the defender's effort clipped the top of the bar and went over. The second half opened in the same manner, although as the game drew on Rovers looked increasingly dangerous. Hanley hit the woodwork for a second time when his looping header was tipped onto the bar by Lonergan. It had looked as though it would be a simple save for the Bolton keeper, but he managed to get himself into a tricky situation and did well to get back and get a hand to the ball. With 10 minutes to go Leon Best was brought on to make his first league appearance for the team. The striker has been out for over 7 months with a knee injury that he picked up in pre-season and he nearly made an immediate impact when his perseverance led to the ball falling to Rhodes inside the area, but the striker failed to take advantage of the good chance. Bolton also looked threatening and nearly took the lead when Kean could only parry Eagles' shot into the path of Lee, but he mishit his effort and Henley was able to get back to clear the ball off the line. Lonergan then made a mess of another looping header when he had to tip Rhodes' harmless looking effort over the bar and in injury time Jones nearly gave Rovers the lead when he attempted a clever chip that landed on the roof of the net. It looked as though that would be the final action of the match, but Bolton attacked straight from the goal-kick and Eagles' shot from just outside of the area beat Kean and went in off the left-hand upright. The former Burnley man had been the target of much abuse from the away supporters and clearly enjoyed scoring against Rovers, running towards the away end in celebration. It was a poor piece of defending from Rovers in a game in which they deserved a point and it continues a worrying trend of sloppy defending leading to avoidable goals. The defeat sees Rovers drop into the bottom half of the table and it is safe to say that promotion hopes are now all but gone. The team is 11 points off the top 6 places and it looks as though the FA Cup is the last hope of salvaging a bitterly disappointing season. A worrying run of form has seen the side slip down the table and the FA Cup quarter-final against Millwall this Sunday suddenly looks like a must-win game. The return of Leon Best is encouraging and it looked as though he linked up well with Rhodes, but the recent form has revealed several major holes in the current squad. The centre of midfield is virtually non-existent and the defending is often comical. A trip to Wembley might not turn a disastrous season into a good one, but it might at least give Rovers supporters a reason to feel proud for a week or two, something that has been missing for quite some time now. View full article

Bolton and Rovers are level at the break after an entertaining first half at the Reebok. It has been a game of few chances so far, although Rovers have hit the woodwork, but it has been high tempo and end to end and both teams will feel as if they can win the match. Michael Appleton named four changes to the side that played so poorly in the first half at home to Peterborough at the weekend and, so far at least, he has had the sort of response that he would have wanted. Rovers have looked far more solid at the back and have played with more pace and intent as they have forced a number of corners and set-pieces in dangerous areas. Neither side has seriously tested the opposition keeper and, despite the end-to-end nature of the game, chances have been few and far between, but that could well change in the second half. Bolton have had two penalty appeals turned down, but Rovers went closest to taking the lead as the half drew to a close when Pedersen's low free-kick was touched onto the crossbar by Hanley. Rovers will know that they need to start winning games soon if they are to have any chance of promotion and that a defeat may end any hopes that they have of making the play-offs. View full article

Michael Appleton promised that the players would be held responsible for poor performances and he has made four changes to the side that started against Peterborough on Saturday. Murphy, Orr, Bentley and Rekik have all been dropped, with Henley and Pedersen returning to the side and David Jones while Cameron Stewart have both been handed their first starts for the club. Danny Murphy does not even feature on the bench, but Leon Best is named as a substitute as he finally looks as though he may have covered from a knee injury that has kept him out since the summer. Bolton Lonergan, Alonso, Ngog, Knight, Davies, Dawson, Ricketts, Spearing, Pratley, Lee, Kamara Substitutes: Lynch, Eagles, Sordell, Holden, Davies, Wheater, Odelusi Blackburn Rovers Kean, Henley, Hanley, Dann, Markus Olsson, Pedersen, Lowe, Stewart, Jones, Campbell, Rhodes Substitutes: Sandomierski, Orr, Givet, Best, Gomes, Rekik, Bentley View full article

Rovers were unable to fight back from a 3-goal deficit after an atrocious first-half performance saw them out of the game by the break. A first-half hat-trick from Gayle all but secured the three points for Peterborough, who had come into the game bottom of the table, and they will be delighted to pick up a vital three points after holding off a late rally from Rovers. Peterborough were quickly on the front foot and went close inside the opening minutes through Swanson, but the midfielder fired over. It was an early warning for Rovers and one that they did not heed as Peterborough went ahead in the 11th minute when Kean did well to make a double save to deny Swanson, but parried the second save into the path of Gayle, who was left with the simple task of tapping the ball home. Gayle then doubled the away side's lead when Mendez-Laing crossed for the forward, who headed back across goal and past a stranded Kean in the Rovers goal. It was no more than Peterborough deserved and Gayle rounded off his hat-trick in only the 27th minute when he was once again on hand to finish after Kean had saved from Tomlin. This time Gayle calmly lifted the ball over the Rovers keeper before wheeling away in celebration. Peterborough's small away following were in disbelief at what they were seeing and could be loudly heard celebrating, even over the chorus of boos from the home supporters. Rovers pushed forward in an attempt to get something back before the break, but Rhodes missed a good opportunity to score when he fired over after Olejnik could only parry Dann's header. DJ Campbell then produced a fine finish to beat Olejnik, but the whistle had already gone and Rovers' joy was short-lived. Appleton must have been appalled with what he had seen in the opening 45 minutes and made two changes to the side at half-time, bringing on new signings Stewart and Jones in place of the disappointing Bentley and Murphy. The changes seemed to breathe some life into the midfield and Rovers pushed forward in search of a goal. DJ Campbell missed a decent opportunity just after half-time, but Rovers would have to wait until the 73rd minute to finally score when Jordan Rhodes was put through by Campbell and the Scottish international made no mistake with his finish. Suddenly an improbable comeback seemed possible and Rovers took control of the game, but were able to create little and time quickly ran off the clock. Rovers thought that they had got another goal back when Rhodes' header was saved by Olejnik, but it appeared that the keeper may have crossed his own line in the process. But the referee waved away the appeals and play continued. It was a small moment of controversy, but Rovers did grab a second as the match went into injury time when Jones marked his debut with a goal by curling the ball around Olejnik after he had done well to collect and control the ball. It was an impressive debut from Jones, who added much-needed pace and drive to the midfield and it will be one of the few positives that Appleton and his team can take away from the match. This result is a hammer blow to any hopes Rovers still had of making the play-offs and it now appears that the FA Cup is all that the team has left to play for. Wins for rivals Middlesbrough, Leeds, Brighton and Bolton make this defeat look even worse and Rovers will know that they have to be capable of beating teams in the relegation zone if they are to fulfil their ambitions of making it to the play-offs. They now sit 10 points adrift of the play-off places, with several of the teams above them holding a game in hand and with only 11 games to go in the season it is highly unlikely that they can close such a large gap. The bright start under Appleton has faded quickly and Rovers will now have to focus on a long-term rebuilding plan as it looks fairly certain that they will face at least one more season in the Championship. The Raos were in attendance for today's game and it is unlikely that they were impressed by much of what they saw: a poor performance, a poor attendance and a defeat to a relegation-threatened side that all but ends Rovers play-off hopes. View full article

Markus Olsson returns to the starting line-up in place of Morten Gamst Pedersen. There are places on the bench for Cameron Stewart and David Jones, both of whom signed on loan this week. Blackburn Rovers Kean, Orr, Hanley, Dann, Rekik, Bentley, Lowe, Murphy, Markus Olsson, Campbell, Rhodes Substitutes: Sandomierski, Givet, Pedersen, Gomes, Henley, Stewart, Jones Peterborough United Olejnik, Zakuani, Bostwick, Swanson, Tomlin, McCann, Rowe, Little, Payne, Gayle, Mendez-Laing Substitutes: Day, Alcock, Brisley, Barnett, Newell, Ferdinand, Knight-Percival View full article

Rovers have played poorly in the first half of tonight's match against Leicester City and trail 2-0. Morten Gamst Pedersen went close to giving Rovers the lead, but Leicester City have been the much better side and deserve to be in the lead at the break. Jake Kean made a fine start to the game, making several good saves, most notably one effort to deny Anthony Knockaert from close range. Michael Keane then missed a golden opportunity to give the home side the lead when the defender fired over from close range. The Rovers keeper was doing well to deny Leicester, but it was his opposite number who produced the save of the half. Morten Gamst Pedersen's effort was deflected and looked destined to beat the wrong-footed Schmeichel, but the Danish keeper made a save that his father would have been proud of and got a hand to the shot to somehow keep it out. That save proved crucial as shortly after Leicester broke forward through Marshall and the midfielder produced a fine cross that left Chris Wood with the simple task of heading in from five yards out. That goal put Leicester firmly in the ascendancy and Rovers struggled to get a hold of the ball and get out of their own half. The Foxes were in total control and it came as no surprise when they doubled their lead shortly before half-time. Marshall took their eighth corner of the half and Harry Kane headed home to put Leicester firmly in control. Rovers have offered little going forward and look vulnerable at the back and Michael Appleton will have his work cut out for him if he is to somehow engineer a comeback. A defeat here would be a serious blow to any promotion hopes and would leave Rovers well adrift of the play-off chasers. View full article

Rovers have been soundly beaten by Hull City at the KC Stadium. The home side controlled the match and never looked threatened as they comfortably picked up the three points. Rovers can thank Jake Kean for the fact that they only conceded two goals in a game where they failed to force Stockdale into any serious saves in the Hull goal. The first half was a slow affair in which neither side really got going. Hull were able to control possession and spent most of the half inside Rovers' territory, but they failed to create many good chances. They nearly scored half an hour into the match when Meyler's powerful header looked destined for the bottom corner, but Kean did extremely well to get down to make a strong right-handed save before getting back up to keep out the rebound. The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with Hull controlling the match and Rovers struggling to mount any serious attacks and the home side deservedly took the lead five minutes after the restart. Rovers failed to completely clear a corner and when the ball was put back into the box Gedo was on hand to meet the ball at the back post to put the home side ahead. Shortly after, Williamson was forced off with an injury and Appleton will be hopeful that his new signing will not be out for any great length of time, although the midfielder required considerable medical attention and was helped off with the aid of both a stretcher and a leg brace. Hull nearly doubled their lead after another corner an hour into the match, but Kean produced his second good save of the night to keep out Hobbs' effort. The Rovers keeper was doing his best to keep his side in it, but the result was secured in the 67th minute when Rovers once again failed to pick up a man at the back post and this time Elmohamady provided the finish. Rovers tried to push forward, but in truth they never looked like scoring and Hull were able to see out the rest of the match without any serious trouble. It was a disappointing performance and result from Appleton's side and will be seen as an opportunity missed to close the gap on the play-off sides. Automatic promotion now looks impossible and Rovers have now dropped to tenth in the table and sit seven points off the play-off places, although they do have a game in hand on six of the sides above them. View full article

A brilliant save from Jake Kean has kept Rovers level after a flat first half at the KC Stadium. The home side has had much the better of the match so far, but neither side has created many chances. Rovers got off to a decent start and Kazim-Richards forced Stockdale into an early save when he shot from distance. That would prove to be the closest that Rovers came to scoring in the first half as Hull gradually came more into the match and began to control possession and territory. Hull controlled the half, but managed to create little despite all of their possession. Rovers were sloppy at the ball, but Dann and Hanley have continued their recent form by being solid at the back. The home side nearly took the lead when Hanley lost track of his man, but Kean produced one of the saves of the season to get low to his right and keep out Meyler's powerful header. It was a fine instinctive save from the keeper and he did well to get up immediately to keep out the second effort. As the half drew to the close, there was a slight talking point as an off-the-ball incident went unpunished, with Kazim-Richards perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after the forward had already been booked earlier in the match. View full article

Rovers have made two changes to the side that beat Arsenal at the weekend. Loan signing Karim Rekik comes into the side for his debut as Markus Olsson drops to the bench and Danny Murphy returns to the starting eleven at the expense of Morten Gamst Pedersen. Hull City Stockdale, Chester, Hobbs, Evans, Koren, Gedo, Elmohamady, Bruce, Quinn, Brady, Meyler Substitutes: Jakupovic, Rosenior, Simpson, Cairney, Olofinjana, Fathi, Proschwitz Blackburn Rovers Kean, Orr, Dann, Hanley, Rekik, Lowe, Williamson, Murphy, Martin Olsson, Kazim-Richards, Rhodes Substitutes: Usai, Givet, Campbell, Pedersen, Markus Olsson, Gomes, Bentley View full article

Rovers have beaten Ipswich 1-0 at Ewood Park to pick up a valuable three points and move back into the top 10 in the Championship. Neither side played well in the first half, but Rovers bossed the second period and picked up the win thanks to an own goal from the Ipswich keeper. Jordan Rhodes missed a host of half-chances to put the game beyond doubt, but the Scottish international saw his league scoring run come to an end. The first half was uneventful and uninspired. Both sides lacked quality and failed to create chances and the one saving grace was that all 22 players appeared to be committed to the match and willing to put in challenges. Ipswich failed to convert the best chance of the half after Pedersen's mistake had gifted them an opening, but, in truth, neither side deserved a goal. The challenges were flying in thick and fast as the match descended into a scrappy midfield battle and Jordan Rhodes was on the wrong end of a challenge that saw the striker require some medical treatment following a blow to the face. The second half started much as the first had ended, although Rovers gradually began to increase the tempo. DJ Campbell was brought on for his Rovers debut, replacing Morten Gamst Pedersen and the substitution saw a change in shape that improved Rovers' play. Kazim-Richards dropped back into midfield and Rovers were able to apply more pressure with Rhodes and Campbell playing up front together. The home side took the lead 20 minutes into the second half when Ipswich failed to clear Hanley's shot and the ball clipped off Henderson's back leg before going into the goal. Jordan Rhodes peeled away to claim the goal, but there can be little doubt that it had gone in off the goalkeeper. The Scottish international then missed a good chance to double the lead when he headed Martin Olsson's cross a yard wide of the Ipswich goal. Rhodes had another chance to put the match to bed, but Henderson made a good stop to keep his side in the game and then headed wide from the subsequent corner. All three were decent chances and, by his standard, you would have expected him to have taken at least one and the striker will be disappointed that he was unable to grab his 20th goal for Rovers and keep his scoring streak going when he was only one game away from matching the club record. Ipswich nearly equalised when N'Daw's effort from the edge of the area went narrowly wide, with Kean nowhere near to it. In the end that was Ipswich's best effort of the game and Rovers deserved to pick up the win and a crucial three points. The win sees Rovers move all the way up to 7th, although that may change over the weekend, and they are now only 4 points off the play-off places, with a game in hand on one or two of the sides above them. More pleasingly, it was Rovers' third consecutive clean sheet and, after this recent run, they can now consider themselves to be very much alive in the hunt for play-off places. View full article

Bradley Orr has made an immediate return to the starting line-up following the end of his loan spell away from the club. Orr is the only change to the side that won in last weekend's FA Cup tie. Blackburn Rovers Kean, Orr, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Lowe, Murphy, Pedersen, Markus Olsson, Kazim-Richards, Rhodes Substitutes: Usai, Givet, Goodwillie, Nunes, Gomes, Morris, Kane Bristol City Heaton, Fontaine, Carey, Baldock, Kelly, Pearson, Davies, Cunningham, Moloney, Anderson, Elliott Substitutes: Gerken, Foster, Nyatanga, Stead, Wilson, Reid, Burns View full article

Rovers have beaten Derby at Pride Park and put their name in the hat for the 5th round draw of the FA Cup. It is Rovers' first win under new boss Michael Appleton and the manager will be pleased that the team continues to look increasingly organised and professional. The 3-0 victory came on the back of a very good second-half performance as Kazim-Richards, Scott Dann and Jordan Rhodes picked up the goals. Both sides were poor in the first half and neither side was able to take control of the match or put together any sort of fluent attacking moves. Rovers were forced into a change when Joshua King picked up an injury, with the Norwegian appearing to have a problem with the same hamstring that kept him out for several matches. It looked as though the half would end goalless, but a defensive error from Derby allowed Kazim-Richards to race in behind and the Turkish international finished nicely to put Rovers in front. The second half continued in much the same vein, but 20 minutes into the second half Rovers doubled their lead. The opener had relied on a defensive error from Derby, but the second came from a touch of class. Murphy picked out Scott Dann and the defender surprised everyone, no doubt including himself, by producing a fine volley. Rovers were suddenly totally in control and they put the result beyond doubt when Markus Olsson beat a man before slipping the ball through to Jordan Rhodes and the forward finished neatly from 10 yards out to score for the fourth game in a row. Derby were rocked by the quick-fire double and never got back into the game, allowing Rovers to comfortably see out the remaining 20 minutes of the match. The round saw a few surprising results and there are still several non-Premier League sides left in the draw, so Rovers can be hopeful that they might receive a favourable tie in the next round. View full article

Rovers are ahead at half-time thanks to a goal from Colin Kazim-Richards. It has been a poor first half from both sides, but Rovers took the lead just before the break in a game in which chances have been few and far between. Rovers went closest to taking the lead in the early proceedings when Scott Dann headed wide, with the defender claiming that he had been pulled back in the box. The away side then received a blow when Joshua King was forced off with an injury. It appears to be a recurrence of the hamstring injury that had kept him out of the past few matches, and Appleton will be hoping that it is just another strain and not a serious tear. For the second match in a row Rovers took the lead as the half drew to a close. It looked as though neither side would be able to open the scoring, but a defensive error allowed Kazim-Richards to race onto a long clearance and the Turkish international kept his composure to slot home and hand Rovers the advantage. It was Kazim-Richards' third of the season and Rovers will be hopeful that it will help them progress to the next round of the cup. View full article

Rovers have made one change to the side that drew against Brighton midweek. Kane is cup-tied, meaning that Lowe will move to right back and King returns to the side. Derby County Legzdins, Brayford, Roberts, Bryson, Keogh, Coutts, Hendrick, Ward, O'Brien, Hughes, Sammon Substitutes: Fielding, Jacobs, Doyle, O'Connor, Davies, Bennett, Freeman Blackburn Rovers Kean, Lowe, Hanley, Dann, Martin Olsson, Kazim-Richards, King, Murphy, Pedersen, Markus Olsson, Rhodes Substitutes: Usai, Givet, Nunes, Dunn, Rochina, Gomes, Goodwillie View full article

Rovers were denied a first win under Michael Appleton as Brighton scored a penalty with virtually the last kick of the game. Rovers had been much the better side and will be bitterly disappointed by the result and it will be seen as two points dropped in their attempts to close the gap on the play-off sides. Rovers started the better side, but neither team created any opportunities during the opening exchanges of the match. The first half-chance of the match fell to Jason Lowe after an incisive break from Rovers saw the England Under-21 midfielder get on the end of Kazim-Richards' cross, but Tomasz Kuszczak got down smartly to make the save and the Polish keeper was forced into another good save to deny Pedersen after he had neatly controlled the ball on his chest before quickly firing off a half-volley. It looked as though it would be scoreless at the interval, but Rovers were awarded a penalty when El-Abd was adjudged to have pulled Pedersen down in the box. Rhodes stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slotted home to score his 16th Rovers goal of the season. The second half was similar to the first, with Rovers pressing forward and creating the occasional chance and Brighton offering little and it looked as though Rovers would be able to comfortably see out the match. If anything, it looked more likely that home side would double their lead and Jordan Rhodes nearly got his second, but Kuszczak produced a fine save to force the ball wide for a corner. As the match drew to a close, Brighton pushed further forward in search of an equaliser and, right as the fifth minute of injury time drew to a close, they were awarded a penalty when Goodwillie needlessly pushed Lopez in the back. Lopez picked himself up and drew Brighton level, with the match ending as soon as Rovers restarted the match. It will be a bitterly disappointing blow for Appleton, the team and Rovers supporters, but they will no doubt be encouraged by the performance. Brighton were outplayed throughout the match and failed to test Kean right up until the penalty, but Appleton and the players will know that time is running out and that they will need to go on a good run if they are to close the gap on the play-off sides. It looks as though Rovers should prepare for another season in the Championship, but at least the Rovers faithful will have seen some decent football in return for braving the cold on a Tuesday evening. View full article

Michael Appleton's time in charge of Rovers has got off to a disappointing start after Rovers were beaten 2-1 by Charlton Athletic. It was a flat performance from both sides, but a well-organised Charlton side did enough to contain Rovers and pick up the three points. Rovers started slightly the better of the two sides and had a good chance to take the lead from a corner, but Rochina could only head straight into the arms of Hamer. One of the few moments of quality led to the game's opening goal when Rovers only half-cleared a well-worked Charlton free-kick and Stephens gathered the ball on the edge of the area and beat Kean with a fierce left-footed effort that went in off the underside of the crossbar. Charlton nearly doubled their lead soon after, but Olsson did well to clear the ball off the line after Kean had saved Jackson's initial effort. Rovers looked a different side at the start of the second half as they moved the ball quickly and with more intent and their play was rewarded just 3 minutes into the half when Kazim-Richards crossed for Rhodes to head home from close range. Rovers took control of the match and looked the more likely to grab the third goal of the match, but Charlton retook the lead when Rovers once again failed to properly clear the ball and Kermorgant's header crept into the corner of the net. Kazim-Richards nearly brought Rovers level when he headed narrowly wide, but, despite throwing everyone forward, Olsson missed a decent chance deep into injury time when he fired over with his right foot and Rovers were unable to find another goal. It was an extremely disappointing performance from Rovers and it brought an end to the four-match unbeaten run that the side had built under caretaker manager Gary Bowyer. Rovers are now 10 points off the play-off places and if Appleton has any ambition of seeing his side challenge for promotion, then it is essential that Rovers pick up wins from their next three games, all of which are at home. View full article

Michael Appleton's first half in charge of Rovers has not gone to plan as he sees his side behind 1-0 at home to Charlton. It has been a flat first half at Ewood Park, but the one moment of quality has put the away side in front. Rovers started slightly the better of the two sides and had their best chance of the half from a corner, but Rochina headed straight into the arms of the keeper when he should have done better. Shortly after, Chartlon were ahead when a neatly worked short free-kick was only half cleared by Hanley, allowing Stephens to collect the ball on the edge of the box and beat Kean with a powerful effort that went in off the underside of the crossbar. Chartlon nearly doubled their lead just after, but Olsson did well to clear the ball off the line after Kean had saved the initial effort from Jackson. It was a poor first half and Rovers look in danger of slipping to their first defeat of 2013 if they do not improve significantly in the second period. View full article

New boss Michael Appleton has named an unchanged side from the team that drew with Wolves last Friday. Blackburn Rovers Kean, Kane, Hanley, Dann, Martin Olsson, Vukcevic, Lowe, Murphy, Kazim-Richards, Rochina, Rhodes Substitutes: Usai, Givet, Pedersen, Gomes, Morris, Goodwillie, Rosado Charlton Athletic Hamer, Evina, Jackson, Morrison, Taylor, Stephens, Wagstaff, Pritchard, Kermorgant, Solly, Wilson Substitutes: Button, Green, Wright-Phillips, Wiggins, Fuller, Harriott, Dervite View full article

Rovers have today confirmed that they have made Joshua King's move permanent. The Norwegian had joined the club on loan from Manchester United, but Rovers have decided to use the option to buy the player for a minimal fee. King's time at the club had been due to end today after he was the only signing during Henning Berg's time at the club. It is Rovers' first move of the January transfer window and it may surprise many that they have made a signing before the appointment of a new manager. View full article

Rovers have picked up a vital win at home to Nottingham Forest. After a dull first half, Rovers burst into action in the second and scored three unanswered goals. It was a very good performance from the home side and it means that Rovers have won on New Year's Day for the first time in four years. There was very little goalmouth action in the first half and neither keeper was tested seriously. Rovers' best chance of the half came from an indirect free-kick inside of the area after Camp had picked up Collins' backpass. Rochina's effort came to nothing, but Rovers nearly took the lead just before the break when Kazim-Richards' volley landed on the roof of the net. Whatever was said at half-time certainly had an effect and Rovers were quickly onto the front foot after the break. They took the lead only three minutes into the second half in bizarre circumstances as Ayala played the ball off of Rochina and watched in horror as the ball made its way past a wrong-footed Camp and into the corner of the Nottingham Forest goal. Jake Kean then produced an excellent one-handed save to keep out Billy Sharp's header after the forward had found himself unmarked in the penalty area. That might have been the scare that Rovers needed and they soon grabbed a second and, if the first was fortunate, the second was anything but. Rhodes did well to beat both the keeper and a defender to Pedersen's pass and the striker exquisitely took the ball around the keeper, turned and fired into the goal from a tight angle. That all but ended the match as a contest, but Rovers added a third when Kazim-Richards met Henley's cross on the half-volley and beat Camp with a thunderous effort. It was a fine goal and it rounded off one of Rovers' better performances of the season. Forest nearly grabbed a goal from a free-kick, but Murphy did well to get back onto the line and head the ball wide. It was a good performance and it is an excellent three points that sees Rovers move to within 5 points of the play-off places with a game in hand on many of the sides above them. There is growing speculation that Peter Taylor is poised to take over as manager, although it seems that an appointment today is unlikely. Whoever takes charge, Bowyer and his team can be proud of the work that they did in their brief time in charge, a spell that saw Rovers win back-to-back games and pick up an invaluable 6 points that sees them looking up at the start of 2013. View full article

It is goalless at half-time in the Championship clash between Rovers and Nottingham Forest. Chances have been few and far between and neither keeper has been seriously tested. The match got off to a frenetic start as both sides attempted to settle into a rhythm. Grant Hanley produced a good last-ditch tackle to prevent Cox from getting his shot off when the forward had stolen in behind Scott Dann. Rovers' first real chance of the game came when Camp picked up Collins' backpass, giving Rovers an indirect free-kick from inside the penalty area, but Rochina's effort came to nothing. Kazim-Richards nearly handed Rovers the lead just before the break, but his volley landed on the roof of the net. View full article

Rovers have made one change to the side that won 3-1 at Barnsley on Saturday. Simon Vukcevic picked up an injury in the first half at Oakwell and he has been unable to recover in time and so Kazim-Richards has been recalled to the starting line-up. There are places on the bench for Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Goodwillie, who has only just returned from a loan spell at Crystal Palace. Blackburn Rovers Kean, Henley, Hanley, Dann, Martin Olsson, Kazim-Richards, Lowe, Murphy, King, Rochina, Rhodes Substitutes: Usai, Morris, Markus Olsson, Gomes, Gamst Pedersen, Rosado, Goodwillie Nottingham Forest Camp, Harding, Collins, Moussi, Guedioura, Reid, Halford, Cox, Lansbury, Sharp, Ayala Substitutes: Gillett, Cohen, McGugan, Moloney, Blackstock, Majewski, Evtimov View full article