Two first-half goals gave Bolton Wanderers victory in a frantic Lancashire six-pointer this evening.
Mark Davies and Nigel Reo-Coker struck within the opening half hour to give Owen Coyle a vital three points.
The game was open throughout and Bolton took the lead after just five minutes when David N'Gog set the ball to Davies, who skipped past one defender before firing low past Paul Robinson.
Reo-Coker doubled the lead on 30 minutes when, after a swift counter-attack involving Martin Petrov and Ivan Klasnic, a weak Morten Gamst-Pedersen challenge ricocheted off the Trotters midfielder.
The deficit led to derision from the Ewood Park crowd and the away fans chanted to under-fire Rovers boss Steve Kean "You're getting sacked in the morning."
Kean's side responded better after half-time as the game opened out even more with numerous chances at both ends.
Steven N'Zonzi wasted perhaps the best of these by firing inches over soon after the break.
Yakubu pulled one back for Rovers by collecting Junior Hoilett's precise through ball and lifting his shot over the onrushing Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Despite continued pressure for an equaliser Rovers were unable to find a goal, with Chris Samba heading wide in the final minute of injury time.
The loss sees Blackburn replace Bolton at the bottom of the Premier League.
Pascal Lemesre
