Short work for Lambert

Blackburn 1 Neston 0

BLACKBURN picked up a much needed and well timed victory with a narrow win against Neston.

It was only Blackburn's second win of the season but it was the perfect confidence boosted ahead of next weekend's crunch basement battle against Wigan.

Blackburn and Wigan both currently occupy the bottom two places in Division Two.

It was Richard Lambert who scored the all important goal midway through the first half from a well worked short corner.

Steve Mower took the corner which was stopped by Nick Fielding on the edge of the area for Lambert.

The right wing kept his cool to skilfully lifted the ball over the advancing defenders and keeper to score in the top left hand corner.

It was no surprise that the breakthrough goal came from a short corner as they were the only really goal scoring chances both sides created. For both sides had their fair share with Neston in particular failing to capitalise from any of their short corners which ran into double figures.

But that was down to poor finishing, brave defending and a fair slice of luck.

However, after seven games of the campaign, Blackburn will accept any luck that comes their way.

But there were some very good performances which will encourage the team as they prepare for the Wigan game and a clash against fellow strugglers Manchester University the week after.

Brian Williams was superb in the Blackburn nets while Mark O'Neil gave a fully committed performance on the left side of midfield.

However, the most encouraging performance came from Gordon Sudworth in the heart of the defence.

Sudworth only played because of the injury of key player Phil Bowker.

But it was a display which typified Blackburn's gutsy display who stepped up from the second team after returning from a lay off through injury.

After the break, chances were few and far between -- with again the short corner proving to be both sides best chance of scoring.

However, in a well worked counter attack, Dave Gowers broke free of the Neston defence but failed to double Blackburn's lead when he pulled his shot wide of the goal.

But Blackburn held on to win to claim the prize scalp of a team in the relative safety of mid-table security.

Now that has to be the aim of Blackburn. For Blackburn know that with three points for a win, they can soon climb away from the drop zone.

And having suffered two successive relegations, Blackburn will be doing their utmost not to complete an unwanted hat-trick.

BLACKBURN: Brian Williams, Paul Keenan, Mark O'Neil, Steve Mowett, Nick Fielding, David Jones, Kieran Horrigan, Stuart Grant, Richard Lambert, Gordon Sudworth and Dave Gowers

Picture: Goalmouth action in the Division Two clash between Blackburn and Neston