Albion took a big step towards guaranteeing their Championship safety after grinding out a first away win since January at Blackburn Rovers.
Matt Kilgallon’s own goal in the first half was all that separated the two sides in a low quality affair at Ewood Park.
David Stockdale ensured a first away win since the 1-0 victory at Charlton on January 10 with a sensational save to deny Jordan Rhodes in the second half.
It meant that an Albion player is still to score an away goal from open since Chris O’Grady’s late goal at Brentford on January 3.
But that will not overly concern boss Chris Hughton who saw his side move ten points clear of the relegation zone.
Rovers were playing their 13th game in the space of 43 days and they looked noticeably jaded as Albion took control right from the kick-off.
The question was whether the Seagulls could take advantage of their opponent’s malaise considering their lack of goals away from home this season.
O’Grady went close in the ninth minute when he cut in from the left and curled a shot which beat Jason Steele but clipped the outside of the far post.
Joao Teixeira shot wide from 25 yards but apart from that Albion were unable to carve out any genuine openings despite their territorial dominance.
When they did take the lead they needed a big helping hand from the home side. There looked little danger when O’Grady crossed from the left but Kilgallon flung himself full length at the ball to send a diving header past Steele.
The goal at least woke Rovers from their slumber a little and they had the ball in the net in the 32nd minute. Jordan Rhodes headed in from close ranger from Ben Marshall’s cross but the effort was ruled out for a foul on David Stockdale.
Both keepers were forced into full-length saves just before the interval to keep the score 1-0 at half time.
Steele had to stretch to claw away an effort from Joao Teixeira and then Stockdale did well to turn a well-hit shot from Marshall around a post after Rovers had gone straight up the other end.
Rovers manager Gary Bowyer resisted the temptation to make changes at the break but had seen enough within ten minutes as his side failed to improve.
The introduction of Rudy Gestede and Tommy Spuirr seemed to lift Blackburn as they began to take control of the game.
Chances were still few and far between and when Rovers did carve out a clear-cut opening they found Stockdale in their way.
Rhodes together half the home fans behind the goal thought he had made it 1-1 with a near post header from Tom Cairney’s cross but the Seagulls keeper somehow got down low to his left to claw the ball off the line.
Stockdale had to be alert again six minutes from time when he turned over Markus Olsson’s fierce shot from the edge of the area.
Blackburn (4-4-2): Steele; Henley, Baptiste, Kilgallon, Olsson; Taylor (Spurr, 55), Spearing, Cairney, Marshall; Brown (Gestede, 55), Rhodes. Subs not used: Eastwood, Williamson, Songo'o, Lenihan, Mahoney,.
Albion (4-3-3): Stockdale; Bruno, Halford, Greer, Bennett; Ince, Kayal, Stephens; Ledesma (Calderon, 68), O'Grady, Teixeira (Forster-Caskey, 88). Subs not used: Walton, Hughes, Holla, LuaLua, Mackail-Smith.
Original article
Matt Kilgallon’s own goal in the first half was all that separated the two sides in a low quality affair at Ewood Park.
David Stockdale ensured a first away win since the 1-0 victory at Charlton on January 10 with a sensational save to deny Jordan Rhodes in the second half.
It meant that an Albion player is still to score an away goal from open since Chris O’Grady’s late goal at Brentford on January 3.
But that will not overly concern boss Chris Hughton who saw his side move ten points clear of the relegation zone.
Rovers were playing their 13th game in the space of 43 days and they looked noticeably jaded as Albion took control right from the kick-off.
The question was whether the Seagulls could take advantage of their opponent’s malaise considering their lack of goals away from home this season.
O’Grady went close in the ninth minute when he cut in from the left and curled a shot which beat Jason Steele but clipped the outside of the far post.
Joao Teixeira shot wide from 25 yards but apart from that Albion were unable to carve out any genuine openings despite their territorial dominance.
When they did take the lead they needed a big helping hand from the home side. There looked little danger when O’Grady crossed from the left but Kilgallon flung himself full length at the ball to send a diving header past Steele.
The goal at least woke Rovers from their slumber a little and they had the ball in the net in the 32nd minute. Jordan Rhodes headed in from close ranger from Ben Marshall’s cross but the effort was ruled out for a foul on David Stockdale.
Both keepers were forced into full-length saves just before the interval to keep the score 1-0 at half time.
Steele had to stretch to claw away an effort from Joao Teixeira and then Stockdale did well to turn a well-hit shot from Marshall around a post after Rovers had gone straight up the other end.
Rovers manager Gary Bowyer resisted the temptation to make changes at the break but had seen enough within ten minutes as his side failed to improve.
The introduction of Rudy Gestede and Tommy Spuirr seemed to lift Blackburn as they began to take control of the game.
Chances were still few and far between and when Rovers did carve out a clear-cut opening they found Stockdale in their way.
Rhodes together half the home fans behind the goal thought he had made it 1-1 with a near post header from Tom Cairney’s cross but the Seagulls keeper somehow got down low to his left to claw the ball off the line.
Stockdale had to be alert again six minutes from time when he turned over Markus Olsson’s fierce shot from the edge of the area.
Blackburn (4-4-2): Steele; Henley, Baptiste, Kilgallon, Olsson; Taylor (Spurr, 55), Spearing, Cairney, Marshall; Brown (Gestede, 55), Rhodes. Subs not used: Eastwood, Williamson, Songo'o, Lenihan, Mahoney,.
Albion (4-3-3): Stockdale; Bruno, Halford, Greer, Bennett; Ince, Kayal, Stephens; Ledesma (Calderon, 68), O'Grady, Teixeira (Forster-Caskey, 88). Subs not used: Walton, Hughes, Holla, LuaLua, Mackail-Smith.
Original article