Blackburn in touching distance of safety with Leeds upset

Sam Szmodics scored his 30 goal of the campaign to become the first Rovers player since Alan Shearer to hit that landmark back in 1996. It could be the most important if Rovers go on to secure their league status.

After the disappointment of Wednesday night, there was plenty of apprehension about the task of travelling to Leeds. But Rovers defended their box manfully and restricted their promotion-chasing hosts to few clear-cut chances.

They posed a threat on the counter-attack too, crucially. Szmodics tested Illan Meslier early on after latching on to a loose pass. That was a warning that Leeds did not learn from.

Of course, Aynlsey Pears had to produce a few heroics of his own at the other end. Georginio Rutter, Junior Firpo and Daniel James all went really close to breaking the deadlock.

But as time ticked on and the Leeds crowd grew restless, it was Rovers who produced the knockout blow. Tyrhys Dolan's reverse pass into Szmodics. Goal. Deafening silence.

Rovers knew that they would need to produce a large improvement on Wednesday night's woeful offering in Bristol. Up against a raucous Elland Road atmosphere, it was one-way traffic early on.

Eustace set his side up to defend deep and try to hurt Leeds on the counter-attack but Leeds applied all the early pressure.

Pears was called into action to push away a swinging free-kick from Crysencio Summerville before pushing the rebound from Willy Gnonto around the post.

With 20 minutes played, a goal felt inevitable and Leeds' domination was ominous. But Rovers started to work their way into the game and began to cause more problems for the hosts.

A few loose Whites passes and touches were pounced upon, with Sam Gallagher picking out Callum Brittain at the back post but the defender opted not to shoot. 

At the other end, Leeds were beginning to grow frustrated. Ilia Gruev shot wide at the near post when he should've done better before Connor Roberts called Pears to make a routine but necessary save around the post.

Rovers' best offering came before half-time as Szmodics latched onto a loose Summerville pass and drove at goal. He worked the space for a left-footed strike which forced Meslier to make his first save of the match. 

A warning sign for Leeds and encouragement for the visitors as they entered the half-time break.

The home side came flying out the traps as you would expect but Rovers continued to defend their 18-yard box well. As the game wore on, the frustrations of the home crowd grew.

Rovers then had two golden opportunities to get their noses in front. Rankin-Costello shot inches wide from range after Meslier had given the ball away with a rushed throw-in.

Moments later and Szmodics got around the back of the Leeds defence, flashed it across goal and somehow it stayed out. Roberts did the heroics for Leeds at the back post and Gallagher couldn't force it home.

Leeds responded and Pears was forced into his first serious save as the ball bobbled around in the box and was struck by Rutter hard and low but he made an important stop to keep the score level.

The pressure continued and substitute James was inches wide of finding the bottom corner after cutting in on his left foot. Pears had clawed the ball off the line moments before after Firpo's header.

But it was Blackburn Rovers who would produce the knockout blow and silence the Elland Road crowd. Dolan brought the ball down and fed Szmodics, who lifted the ball over Meslier to send the away fans into raptures.

Calm, cool and clinical from Rovers' top-scorer, who knows whatever happens this season he has done his bit. Eustace's side needed a hero in these final four fixtures and once again, he delivered.

The final few minutes were not without their nerves but Rovers defended their box as manfully as they had in the previous 82. It was enough for three massive points with Rovers becoming the first side to win at Elland Road this season.