Rovers’ first away points perfect gift to Allardyce
BLACKBURN gave their unwell manager Sam Allardyce the perfect tonic by beating his former club Bolton.
Midfielder David Dunn curled the opener and the three points were sealed when Samuel Ricketts headed an own goal from 20 yards out.
The result ensured the visitors picked up their first points away from home and assistant manager Neil McDonald admitted the win was a massive confidence boost.
“I hope it will give Sam Allardyce a chance to recover knowing his team has done well,” he said.
“We are really pleased with the performance. Everyone played at the top of their game. We have got rid of our away hoodoo. We worked very hard to change that.”
Rovers went into the game without Allardyce, who is set to undergo heart surgery, with the aim of stopping a run of 10 consecutive defeats on the road.
The impressive Dunn signalled their intent, going close with a volley early on before a counter attack led to him scoring only Blackburn’s fourth goal away from home in the league.
Franco di Santo found Jason Roberts who set-up Dunn to slot in on the run.
Bolton piled forward after the break but it was Rovers who scored the all-important second goal. Ricketts was involved in a mix-up with goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, the defender’s routine header finding the back of the net after Jaaskelainen had come to the edge of his box.
The result leaves Bolton in the bottom three and boss Gary Megson said: “There is a confidence issue. We have to stay together and keep our spirit and hope we can play better.”