Blackburn Rovers 1 Doncaster Rovers 0: Dickov positive Rovers will avoid drop despite Robinson’s defiance

Doncaster have never won at Ewood Park, and have now taken two points from their last nine away games, but Dickov felt the margins between getting something out of the trip and losing were small.

He said: “I thought Blackburn started really well, pressed us and put us on the back foot. We weathered the storm and there was nothing in the game.

“Us giving the ball away sloppily just before half-time and a lapse of concentration to let (Jordan) Rhodes get in has ended up being the difference.

“I thought some of the stuff in the second half was excellent and we were unlucky yet again.

“Paul Robinson showed why he’s an England international with the two saves at the end because the first one was special. I’ve just seen it again and it was top class.

“The differences were we’ve made one mistake and been punished – and Paul Robinson.

“Once the squad looks a bit stronger and we continue with the performance of the second half, it might be daft, stupid, naive or all three but I know we’ll be okay this season.”

Dickov, whose side remain in the drop zone, made seven changes from the side that lost to Stevenage in the FA Cup, including a debut for former Bolton Wanderers and West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite.

Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer pointed to the “massive effect” Rudy Gestede has had after the striker’s first Ewood Park goal for the club.

Former Cardiff player Gestede netted for the second league game on the spin when Rhodes stood up a great cross on the stroke of half-time for his fellow frontman to head home from close range.

Blackburn have lost just once in their last eight matches across all competitions and their seventh clean sheet at home in the league this season leaves Bowyer’s side two points off a place in the top six.

The manager was quick to praise Gestede, saying: “He’s going to get better and better, the big man.

“He’s settled in very well, very quickly and had a massive effect in the last three games that’s for sure. But he’s going to get better as he gets fitter and stronger and be a real handful.”

Bowyer also lavished praise on goalkeeper Robinson.

The former England international made his first league start in 13 months after injury and illness and guaranteed the points in stoppage time with two magnificent saves, brilliantly tipping over Alex Peterson’s header and then palming away a volley from Rovers captain Richie Wellens, aiming to celebrate the signing of a new 18-month contract.

Bowyer said: “He’s not had a great deal to do, especially in the first half, but it just shows you how important his experience is to us. He’s not been in the game much and then he has to produce something like that. Brilliant.”

The Blackburn manager described it as a “massive win.”

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Henley, Dann, Grant Hanley, Spurr, Marshall, Lowe, Cairney (Taylor 78), Williamson, Rhodes (Campbell 84), Gestede (Dunn 72). Unused substitutes: Kilgallon, Eastwood, Rochina, Morris.

Doncaster Rovers: Turnbull, McCullough (Cotterill 79), Khumalo, Meite, Stevens, De Val Fernandez, Wellens, Coppinger, Forrester (Duffy 68), Husband (Peterson 68), Brown. Unused substitutes: Furman, Maxted, Wakefield, Bennett.

Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Rudy Gestede.