Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Derby County: Craig Conway's penalty ignites Rovers' survival bid

Blackburn reignited their bid for survival with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Derby County at Ewood Park.

On Tony Mowbray's home debut, Craig Conway's 58th-minute penalty proved decisive as Rovers won for the first time in five to move level with relegation rivals Bristol City.

The result dealt a significant blow to Steve McClaren's hopes of guiding Derby into the play-offs, as County extended their undesirable winless run to seven games in all competitions.

Promotion now looks to be out of Derby's reach, with the Rams five places and 10 points adrift of the top six. Despite remaining in the bottom three on goal difference, Blackburn's hopes of staying in the division have new-found hope.

Sam Gallagher replaced Danny Graham up front as Rovers made one change following Friday's draw at Burton, while McClaren - looking to atone for Derby's defeat at Aston Villa - handed Chris Baird, Bradley Johnson and David Nugent starts.

And Nugent, making his first start for Derby, was at the heart of the game's first opening, laying the ball off to Tom Ince on 11 minutes, but the winger sliced wide.

With Nugent lurking, Derrick Williams had to be alert to prevent the striker from latching onto Max Lowe's enticing cross from the left on 20 minutes.

Seven minutes later Blackburn fashioned their first clear opening, Marvin Emnes cutting onto his right foot before shooting straight at Scott Carson.

Liam Feeney was a constant threat as the hosts steadily grew into the game, drawing Carson into action on 34 minutes before reacting quickest to the rebound, forcing Cyrus Christie to head clear from under his crossbar.

From the resulting corner Rovers should have taken the lead but, after Gallagher's effort was blocked, Emnes blazed the rebound open with the goal gaping.

Carson used his legs to thwart Gallagher's low effort moments later, before the Derby stopper was alert to keep Charlie Mulgrew's near-post free-kick from finding the back of the net.

Blackburn continued their industrious display after the interval, and took the lead from the penalty spot shortly before the hour.

Gallagher beat Alex Pearce to Feeney's low cross, leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot, and Conway hammered the ball past the despairing Carson.

Substitute Abdoul Camara so nearly provided the perfect response for Derby on 65 minutes, but he could only head Johnson's deep cross onto the roof of the Blackburn goal.

The hosts then should have doubled their lead but, having seen Carson parry Conway's rasping drive, Gallagher lashed the rebound over.

There was mayhem in the Blackburn area on 70 minutes but it failed to yield a Derby equaliser as Mulgrew and skipper Jason Lowe threw their bodies in the way of efforts from Nugent and Johnson.

Ince tried his luck with a free-kick from 20 yards but his wayward effort, and Nugent's missed header four minutes from time, was as close as they came as Rovers stood firm.