Blackburn took another giant step towards the Premiership but were unconvincing winners over struggling Huddersfield.

A 30th-minute goal from skipper Garry Flitcroft gave Rovers the advantage.

But even after the sending off of Huddersfield keeper Nico Vaesen, Rovers struggled to find anything like top form.

So it was a massive relief for Ewood Park's biggest crowd of the season, 29,426, when Matt Jansen scored the second goal right at the death.

Huddersfield lost Vaesen five minutes into the second half when he handled the ball outside the box.

Martyn Margetson proved to be a capable deputy and made outstanding saves from Jansen and Alan Mahon.

England under-21 captain David Dunn had the chance to settle Rovers' nerves early on but he pulled a left-foot shot wide after he had created an opening for himself.

Blackburn finally broke through on the half hour with Flitcroft getting on the end of a header from Marcus Bent to slide the ball home for his fifth goal of the season.

Huddersfield threatened only occasionally but were very close to an equaliser in the 69th minute when a marvellous left-foot volley struck the inside of a Blackburn post with Brad Friedel rooted to his line.

Jansen and Dunn both missed great chances to seal it as Blackburn became increasingly nervous and apprehensive.

But it all came right a minute from time when tremendous footwork by substitute Mark Hughes rolled the ball into Jansen's path and the striker made it 20 for the season with his left-foot rising shot.

Teams:

Blackburn Friedel, Curtis, Short, Berg, Bjornebye (Berkovic 59), Gillespie (Hignett 46), Flitcroft, Dunn, Mahon, Jansen, Bent (Hughes 71).

Subs Not Used: Johnson, Filan.

Booked: Bjornebye.

Goals: Flitcroft 30, Jansen 90.

Huddersfield Vaesen, Heary, Moses (Gallen 85), Lucketti, Jenkins, Armstrong, Thornley (Margetson 52), Baldry, Holland, Gorre (Irons 46), Facey.

Subs Not Used: Brennan, Gray.

Sent Off: Vaesen (52).

Booked: Thornley.

Att: 29,426

Ref: P Walton (Northants).