Brilliant Blackburn gave their First Division promotion rivals Bolton a football education with a magnificent performance at the Reebok Stadium.

Goals from Marcus Bent, David Dunn, Matt Jansen and Craig Hignett proved just too much for a Wanderers side which managed just one consolation through Michael Ricketts.

The win moves Blackburn to within four points of their Lancashire rivals and that coveted second place in the race for automatic promotion.

The scoreline did not flatter Rovers at all and had it not been for Bolton keeper Steve Banks the home side have could have faced an even greater defeat.

Ironically it was Bolton who had the best effort in an even first half-hour.

Dean Holdsworth was desperately unfortunate to see a shot on the turn beat Brad Friedel only to strike a post.

On the stroke of half-time Rovers went ahead when Bent collected a pass from Jansen to drill his shot beyond Banks.

Only the Bolton keeper's heroics prevented Alan Mahon adding to Rovers' lead twice with stunning long-range shots.

A second Blackburn goal was inevitable and it came in the 75th minute when Banks could only half-save a shot from Jansen and Dunn picked up the pieces to scramble the ball home.

Wanderers looked a sorry side when the outstanding Jansen burst through to chip in number three although Ricketts did give the home fans some cheer when he made the most of a slip by John Curtis to put his name to the Bolton goal.

But Blackburn were not finished and in the 89th minute came the goal of the game, an unstoppable 25-yard free kick struck home sweetly by substitute Hignett.

Teams:

Bolton: Banks, O'Kane (Charlton 70), Bergsson, Hendry, Elliott, Gardner, Frandsen, Farrelly, Nolan (Passi 79),Hansen (Ricketts 59), Holdsworth.

Subs Not Used: Wheatcroft, Wright.

Booked: Farrelly, Elliott, O'Kane, Bergsson.

Goals: Ricketts 84.

Blackburn: Friedel, Curtis, Berg, Short, Gillespie (Hignett 63), Dunn, Mahon, Flitcroft, Duff, Bent, Jansen (Hughes 90).

Subs Not Used: Filan, Taylor, Berkovic.

Booked: Short.

Goals: Bent 45, Dunn 74, Jansen 81, Hignett 89.

Att: 20,017.

Ref: G Cain (Bootle).