Adam Forshaw ended his nine-year goal drought as managerless Blackburn strengthened their Championship play-off credentials with a comfortable 2-0 win over Plymouth.
Rovers made light of John Eustace’s departure to Derby and after a frustrating first half, put their obdurate visitors to bed in an impressive display, in front of perhaps their most famous manager of all – Premier League winner Sir Kenny Dalglish.
The deadlock was broken by Forshaw’s inventive finish in the 55th minute and the midfielder made the most of celebrating against the team he represented until January.
Tyrhys Dolan’s powerful finish 12 minutes from time settled the game and the Rovers fans celebrated by chanting the score to their former manager.
After securing a second straight win in such a turbulent week, fifth-placed Blackburn find themselves four points clear of seventh, providing a tantalising opportunity for the next manager.
The Pilgrims defended wholeheartedly but never looked like extending their four-game unbeaten run after falling behind, leaving them two points from safety.
Argyle’s gameplan of containment was tested early on as Rovers piled forward but Dolan could not generate power on his close-range header.
Moments later, Todd Cantwell whipped in a sublime cross, but Victor Palsson brilliantly cleared with Makhtar Gueye lurking at the back post.
Although Rovers continued to look dangerous, Plymouth weathered the early storm and had a decent sight of goal in the 26th minute when a poor clearance fell to Callum Wright but he blazed well over when well placed.
It took two moments of ingenuity to prise the visitors open as Callum Brittain’s deflected cross fell to Dolan who laid the ball to Forshaw and he sumptuously hooked the ball into the top corner from 12 yards.
The former Argyle midfielder celebrated in front of the dugout and in the direction of his former supporters.
Blackburn went almightily close to a second on the hour when Amario Cozier-Duberry’s deep cross was headed goalwards by Gueye but Conor Hazard produced an excellent save to claw the ball away.
Despite their dominance, Rovers almost handed their visitors a way back into the game when Aynsley Pears cleared straight to Mustapha Bundu but the goalkeeper was able to get back onto his line to gather the shot.
The game was settled in the 78th minute when new signing Augustus Kargbo burst into space, fed Dolan in the area and he emphatically hammered the ball beyond Hazard for his fourth of the campaign.
Michael Baidoo should have pulled one back in the closing stages but Pears superbly saved from point-blank range and at the other end, Hazard made a stunning low stop to deny Gueye a stoppage-time third.
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- 7 Scott Parker frustrated after Burnley’s draw at Preston
- 8 Paul Cook left ’embarrassed’ by Chesterfield’s second-half display at Walsall
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