Blackburn Rovers 3 Derby County 1
Paul Jewell is still looking for his first win as Derby boss despite going a goal ahead at Ewood Park. Kenny Miller fired the Rams in front before Roque Santa Cruz (2) and Jason Roberts gave Blackburn a 3-1 win and left Jewell without a win in 26 games.
Derby have managed just 11 points in 37 matches but the afternoon started brightly when they took the lead after just 19 minutes.
Miller ran onto a long clearance from goalkeeper Roy Carroll, beating the Rovers offside trap easily, before coolly slotting past Brad Friedel to leave the home defence appealing in vain for a flag.
Brett Emerton and David Bentley went close for Rovers as they desperately searched for an equaliser and as the half went on it seemed only a matter of time as England midfielder Bentley began to get a foothold on the game, creating a chance for Samba as well as himself.
The equaliser finally came in injury time as Roque Santa scored his 18th league goal of the season. Carroll made an initial save from Morten Gamst Pedersen, but the loose ball fell kindly for Blackburn's Player of the Season and he made no mistake.
It was 2-1 just two minutes after the restart, Jason Roberts taking advantage of some comedy defending from Andy Todd. His initial clearance was charged down by Pedersen before the Rams defender played it straight to the feet of Roberts, who fired past Carroll.
Only some brilliant goalkeeping from the former Manchester United shot-stopper kept the scoreline down as he saved well from Roberts on two more occasions to keep his side in the game.
The former West Brom striker almost added a third on 56 minutes, seeing an overhead kick tipped wide by Carroll just as the ball seemed to be heading into the top right hand corner.
He then went close again 11 minutes later, firing in another good effort which Carroll did well to tip over the bar.
Santa Cruz did eventually make it 3-1 on 77 minutes, when he headed home an excellent left wing cross from Bentley for his 23rd of the season in all competitions.
Derby now have just one last chance to save some face and a win next weekend against Reading would see the Royals joining them in the Championship.
Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, Reid, Samba, Nelson, Warnock, Bentley, Vogel (Tugay 61), Emerton, Pedersen (Olsson 79) Santa Cruz, Roberts (Derbyshire 79)
Derby County: Carroll, Todd, Addison, Moore, McEveley, Mears, Ghaly (Sterjovski 66), Savage, Lewis (Villa 72), Earnshaw, Miller
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