A JORDAN Rhodes hat trick has fired Blackburn Rovers back into the Championship play off spots, helping them to a 4-1 win at Peterborough.

The Scottish international added to Mauro Formica's early opener as Rovers blew the hosts away with an impressive display.

Lee Tomlin struck an 88th minute consolation for a struggling Peterborough as Rovers climbed back to sixth in the table.

Rovers were given the perfect start when Mauro Formica fired home on just three minutes after Rhodes' shot had been blocked.

The hosts looked dangerous going forward but, with Ruben Rochina pulling the strings for Berg's men, Rovers looked capable of scoring every time they attacked.

It was 2-0 on 20 minutes as Rhodes headed Martin Olsson's cross home, via Peterborough defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival, and the striker scored his second sic minutes before the break.

Rochina picked the ball up on the halfway line and, after making progress, slipped a defensive splitting pass for Rhodes to clinically finish.

Peterborough improved after the break and Saido Berahino forced a smart save from Paul Robinson, before Grant McCann fired wide on 53 minutes.

Jordan Rhodes should have completed his hat trick after being put through by a clever pass from Formica.

But, having rounded goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik, Rhodes could only drag his shot wide from a tight angle.

The Scottish international was not to be denied though as he completed his treble on 79 minutes, heading home from close range after Scott Dann had headed Formica's corner across goal.

Lee Tomlin scored late on for the hosts before substitute Nuno Gomes hit the post for Rovers in injury time.