Blackburn 1-2 Wolves: Dave Edwards nets controversial winner

A contentious Dave Edwards goal was enough to give Wolves a 2-1 victory at Blackburn in the Sky Bet Championship.

The visitors, who missed out on the play-offs on goal difference last season, signalled their intent for the season as Benik Afobe put them ahead after 28 minutes with a confident flicked finish.

It was harsh on the hosts, who had hit the post through Jordan Rhodes early on.

But moments after Nouha Dicko hit the woodwork, Conway equalised on 39 minutes as his deflected effort looped towards goal - and Carl Ikeme could only help it in off the crossbar.

The game's major talking point came at the end of the first half as Edwards met a Dicko cross but seemed to direct the ball in with his hand - and the goal was allowed to stand, much to the disbelief of the home crowd.

James Henry hit the bar late on and Ikeme produced a superb save from Fode Koita as Wolves recorded a fourth successive victory at Ewood Park.

Blackburn gave debuts to Danny Guthrie and Nathan Delfouneso, while Wolves handed a first start to summer signing Conor Coady.

Rhodes has been subject of much transfer speculation but showed his commitment to the cause within two minutes when his 25-yard effort whistled past Ikeme but cannoned back off the post.

Ben Marshall made his way to the edge of the area before firing narrowly wide and Shane Duffy's header produced a fingertip save from Ikeme as Rovers continued to threaten.

After their positive start, Rovers were hit with a clinical sucker-punch on the half hour as Edwards' cushioned a header brilliantly into the path of Afobe, who calmly flicked past David Raya inside the area to carry on last season's remarkable goalscoring form.

It was almost two soon after as Henry fizzed in a cross that Dicko met - but his effort hit the post.

And they were made to pay after 38 minutes in farcical fashion as Conway's blocked shot looped up off a Wolves defender and Ikeme could only help the ball on its way as he scrambled back.

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Wolves regained the lead controversially in first-half injury time. Dicko's cross-cum-shot was met by Edwards eight yards out and Raya could not keep it out - although the midfielder's touch seemed to be by his hand rather than head.

The second half offered far less, but Rhodes sent an effort wide from a tight angle after 69 minutes and Henry went close to wrapping up the points soon after with a thunderous shot that came back off the bar.

Wolves were indebted to Ikeme at the end though as he produced a fantastic low save to tip Koita's 25-yard drive onto the post - and Corry Evans could not hit the target from the resulting corner as Wolves hung on.

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett:

"It hit his hand, ball to hand. I wouldn't say it was deliberate but yes it definitely made contact. It was a whipped cross in and he's gone to head it... you can't have your arms by your side at that point but did it hit his hand? Yes it did."

Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer:

"Jordan's strike was a hell of a strike and it probably sums up the game for us. We're talking about inches and the small margins today. We've hit the woodwork twice, goalie has made a couple of decent saves, we have a penalty that is not given and there's massive controversy with what is eventually their winner."