BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness declared that his rejuvenated Rovers are now the masters of their own destiny following their 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Ipswich.

And he hailed Damien Duff after the Irish winger scored a wonder goal to help sink the Tractor Boys.

"It was a cracking goal by Damien," said Souness.

"He rode a couple of tackles, checked inside and then hit it with his right foot.

"But he's more than capable of that."

Rovers hauled themselves out of the bottom three for the first time since February 9 courtesy of first half goals from Duff and Andy Cole.

But there was a word of caution from the 'gaffer' after he watched his side win back-to-back Premiership games for the first time this season.

"I've always been confident we can get out of this position so let's see if that confidence is justified," said Souness.

"We've now got nine games left and we know what we have to do to stay in this league. Football is like life in terms of the fact the best thing you can do is be in charge of your own destiny.

"And we are now in that fortunate position because we don't have to rely on anyone else so I don't want to throw that advantage away."

Boosted by last week's 3-0 win over Aston Villa, Rovers surged into a 2-0 interval lead only for Marcus Stewart to then set up an anxious finale with a goal early in the second half.

"We played well in the first half, we caused them problems and got our goals," said Souness.

"Then when we went in at half-time, we said 'Let's make sure we don't do another Aston Villa' but that's exactly what we did do in a nervous second half.

"We knew they were going to step out and come after us, which is what they did, and they had the majority of the ball in the second half which is never pleasing when you're the home team.

"Then, once they got their goal, we became even more nervous and we could have blown it in the end.

"But at the end of the day, I think I'd settle for us not playing well and getting the three points, so I'm happy with that.

"I like to win with style, I like to have most of the ball, especially at home, so the fact we didn't was disappointing.

"The three points is the most pleasing thing.

"We've still got a lot of hard work in front of us, though, so we can't get carried away.

"As I've said all along, there's a lot of football still to be played. We've got a hard game against Leeds on Sunday and it would be nice to get something from that game."

ROVERS reserves are in action against Manchester United at Bury's Gigg Lane tonight (kick-off 7pm).