ROVERS survived a spirited second half Newcastle fight-back to seal their third consecutive win with a 2-1 win at St James Park this afternoon.

Headers from Christopher Samba and Roque Santa Cruz had handed the visitors a comfortable 2-0 half time lead but they were made to work for their three points by the end.

Ryan Nelsen's rash tackle on Michael Owen on 50 minutes saw the England man pick himself to convert from the penalty spot to lift a quiet Geordie crowd.

Blackburn were mainly on the defensive from then on but, despite having plenty of pressure, the hosts again failed to really test full Premier League debutant, goalkeeper Jason Brown.

Samba had headed the visitors ahead on 31 minutes after finding himself unmarked to convert Carlos Villanueva's cross, before Santa Cruz headed home Brett Emerton's cross 10 minutes later.

Rovers had dominated before the break and had it not been for their former keeper, Shay Given, would have sewn the game up by half time.

The Irishman brilliantly denied both Matt Derbyshire and Santa Cruz early on as the host's defence were opened up time and time again.