Blackburn are within a win of a return to the Premiership - but they were
given a scare before it all came right.
Rovers trailed for an hour to relegation-threatened Portsmouth but finally
came through with three goals in a memorable second half spell, the equaliser
courtesy of an own goal from Scott Hiley.
Then it was left to local boy David Dunn and substitute Marcus Bent to get
Ewood Park at fever pitch.
Blackburn, who started the day just a point clear of Bolton, were behind after
10 minutes when Mike Panopoulos capitalised on poor defending to scramble the
ball past Brad Friedel.
Blackburn then totally dominated and were twice denied by the woodwork while
both Dunn and skipper Gary Flitcroft had efforts disallowed.
The second half again saw Blackburn in control and the equaliser they deserved
finally arrived on the hour.
England Under-21 skipper Dunn combined well with Eyal Berkovic and the
Israeli's cross was deflected into his own net by the luckless Hiley.
Blackburn pushed forward again and Dunn gave them the lead 12 minutes from
time from a tight angle after Berkovic's shot had been saved by Andy Petterson.
Rovers' nerves were calmed right at the death when substitute Bent, 10 games
without a goal, burst through to tap in number three and make the points safe.
Blackburn, now with promotion within touching distance, did a lap of honour at
the final whistle with the fans celebrating at the end of their home season.
Blackburn now go to Preston on Wednesday before completing their programme a
week today at Gillingham.
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