A JORDAN Rhodes penalty on the stroke of half-time has given Blackburn Rovers the lead against Brighton at Ewood Park.

Rovers dominated the first period of the Championship clash but failed to make a breakthrough until Morten Gamst Pedersen was fouled by Adam El-Abd as he went for a Martin Olsson cross.

Rhodes did the rest from 12 yards to make it 1-0 as Rovers look for a first win for new boss Michael Appleton.