Blackburn - once again inspired by Damien Duff - boosted their Division One promotion credentials with a stunning win over another team with sights firmly set on the Premiership.

Duff's brilliance down the left flank left Huddersfield with no answers, only the goalkeeping heroics of Nico Vaesen keeping the score respectable.

It was Duff who opened the scoring in the first half, while fellow winger Damien Johnson finished it on the stroke of half-time to leave the visitors wondering how their opponents had ever fallen from the top flight.

Huddersfield started the brighter, with Rovers perhaps still caught up in the euphoria of their FA Cup triumph at Liverpool six days earlier.

Kenny Irons produced the first shot of the game, his 20-yard effort drifting wide of John Filan's left-hand post.

But once Rovers sprang into action there was only going to be one winner.

Nathan Blake, Rovers' Cup hero on Monday, was denied by a great save from Vaesen. But he still put in a confidence-fuelled performance - and the lively striker was unlucky not to finish up on the scoresheet.

Rovers seemed to be able to score from all areas of the pitch, and when Blake slid Duff through there was never any real doubt where the ball would end up.

The Irish winger slid the ball under the advancing Vaesen for his fourth goal of the season to break the deadlock on 29 minutes.

The only worrying moment for Rovers boss Tony Parkes was the withdrawal of Filan - who had seemed to take a knock minutes earlier - his replacement Alan Kelly was more than able to perform what little duties were asked of him.

By the time Johnson had launched himself at Duff's deep cross on 44 minutes the game as a contest was all but over. It definitely was three points in the bag, though, when the midfielder's diving header hit the back of the net.

A goalless second half remained so only thanks to another great save from Vaesen, again denying Blake after the striker's soaring header from Duff's corner looked destined for the bottom corner.

It was a great day for both Duff and Blake.

But the victory belonged to Parkes, who saw his side move back up to seventh place after extending their unbeaten run to seven games.

Teams:

Blackburn: Filan (Kelly 30), Grayson, Dailly, Peacock, Davidson, Johnson, Carsley, Frandsen (McAteer 87), Duff, Blake, Ostenstad (Jansen 75).

Subs Not Used: Dunn, Harkness.

Goals: Duff 29, Johnson 44.

Huddersfield: Vaesen, Jenkins, Armstrong, Baldry (Donis 70), Vincent, Gorre (Edmondson 55), Irons, Beech, Sellars (Thornley 70), Stewart, Wijnhard.

Subs Not Used: Horne, Margetson.

Booked: Gorre, Sellars, Irons.

Att: 21,420

Ref: C Foy (St. Helens).