BLACKBURN Rovers' first meaningful win in Europe might have been 12 years in the making but when it finally came last night it was well worth the wait.

Two stunning goals, brilliantly executed by Benni McCarthy and David Bentley, saw Mark Hughes' side swagger into the group stages of the UEFA Cup on a pulsating night at Ewood Park.

Rovers' previous exertions in Europe have been the butt of many a bar room joke, but Hughes' class of 2006 went some way to exorcising those ghosts of the past with a virtuoso performance against opponents dubbed the Chelsea of Austria'.

McCarthy set the ball rolling with a brilliant turn and shot in the first half that gave Rovers vital breathing space.

Then any thoughts of a Salzburg comeback were emphatically killed off by a moment of breathtaking brilliance from Bentley.

There appeared to be little imminent danger when the ball dropped kindly for the former Arsenal midfielder in the 56th minute.

What followed, however, was pure genius as Bentley teed himself up before unleashing an unstoppable volley from fully 30 yards that looped over Salzburg keeper Timo Ochs and into the top left corner.

A delighted Hughes purred: "David's got that capability and he's got the confidence in his play at the moment to try something like that.

"He's playing exceptionally well, along with many others, and that confidence is coursing through his veins, so why not try it?

"It was a great strike and the keeper was never going to get anywhere near it.

"It was important to get that second goal when we did, and I thought we were excellent after that point as well.

"Salzburg never really got a sniff all night and that's what I was most pleased about, the fact it was a good, solid team performance."

After banking two precious away goals in the first leg a fortnight ago, Rovers knew a 0-0 draw here would have been good enough to see them through to the next phase.

However, it was clear right from the outset that Hughes wanted his team to make a statement by winning the tie outright, which is exactly what they did. And in some style, too!

There were heroes everywhere in blue and white.

Andre Ooijer and Zurab Khizanishvili did an excellent job of keeping Salzburg dangerman Alexander Zickler quiet.

Tugay was also a model of efficiency in midfield, which enabled Rovers to seize control of the engine room.

And Bentley, an effervescent force on the right, supplied a constant stream of crosses from the right for McCarthy and the lively Shabani Nonda to feed off.

Hughes kept faith with the same eleven that started Saturday's game against Middlesbrough.

Franny Jeffers, who missed the Boro trip due to a bout of sickness, also returned to the bench, but there was no sign of Steven Reid or Andy Todd, who are currently nursing back and shin injuries respectively.

Salzburg manager Giovanni Trapattoni, meanwhile, went with Marc Janko up front after the beanpole striker had scored his side's late equaliser in the first leg.

But even his muscular presence failed to unsettle an unflappable home defence.

Rovers started with great purpose and a clever pass from Bentley sent McCarthy scampering away down the right in the fifth minute.

With little support in the middle, the former Porto man opted to go it alone, cleverly jinking his way past a defender, but Ochs beat away his shot from an acute angle.

Another swift raid down the right led to a chance for Nonda, but the African failed to control his header and it sailed harmlessly into the Darwen End.

By now, however, the momentum was firmly with Rovers, and only a last-ditch save from Ochs denied Morten Gamst Pedersen a certain goal moments later.

The pressure finally told in the 32nd minute thanks to a moment of inspiration from McCarthy.

Pedersen showed great vision when he picked out the South African's darting run with an astute pass into the left-hand channel.

Even then, McCarthy still had plenty to do, but a quick change of feet completely bamboozled the former German international, Thomas Linke, leaving the way clear for the striker to slam a low shot past Ochs and inside the near post. Top stuff!

That goal gave Rovers vital insurance and McCarthy then had the chance to put the tie beyond reach on the stroke of half time.

Bentley exposed the Salzburg defence once again with another raking cross from the right touchline, but McCarthy somehow conspired to head wide of the near post when it looked easier to score.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first.

Lucas Neill drilled a low shot inches wide of the post following a rare foray forward.

Then Bentley brought Ewood to its feet with an early contender for goal of the season.

With one swish of his right boot, the England Under 21 international wiped away some of the painful memories of those European exits of the past.

Salzburg heads dropped but they went close to grabbing a late consolation when Vladimir Jaocko's free kick shaved the bar.

By then, though, Rovers were home and dry. It was worth the wait.