JORDAN Rhodes fired home the winner as Blackburn Rovers left it late against Rotherham United at Ewood Park.

Midfielder Craig Conway brilliantly put Rovers ahead in a poor first half with a curling effort from 25 yards.

Ex-Rover Matt Derbyshire equalised for the away side on 72 minutes and it looked as if Gary Bowyer's men were heading for a second disappointing result in the space of four days.

Substitute Rudy Gestede was unlucky to see his header come back off the post after Ben Marshall's pinpoint cross but Rhodes was in the right place at the right time two minutes later to poke home the Benin striker's knock down.

Paul Green could and should have rescued a point for Rotherham in the 90th minute but the midfielder headed wide from five yards out.

The win leaves Rovers 10 points off the play-offs after Watford's away win at 10-man Brentford.

For a full report see tomorrow's Lancashire Telegraph.

Rovers: Steele, Lowe (Baptiste 20), Hanley, Kilgallon, Olsson, Cairney (Marshall 65), Evans, Spearing, Conway, Rhodes, Brown (Gestede 75). Subs not used: Eastwood, Spurr, King, Taylor.

Booked: Spearing, Cairney.

Goals: Conway 42, Rhodes 86.

Rotherham: Collin; Richardson, Morgan, Arnason, Fryers, Newton (Hammill 51), Green, Smallwood, Pringle (Hunt 51), Sammon (Ward 67), Derbyshire. Subs not used: Thompson, Broadfoot, Bowery, Frecklington.

Goal: Derbyshire 72.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham.

Attendance: 13,403.