Blackburn Rovers are leading Brentford 2-1 in this evening's Championship clash at Ewood Park.

The hosts took the lead within the first five minutes as a free kick over the top allowed Rudy Gestede to race onto the ball before blasting a shot into the top corner for his 16th goal of the season.

Brentford came close to finding the equaliser midway through the first half as Harlee Dean latched on to Jota's corner to send a dangerous header towards goal, but goalkeeper Jason Steele was able to tip it over the bar.

On the half-hour mark Rovers had a good chance to double their lead when Tom Cairney's cross from the left fell to Gestede, who teed up Chris Taylor for a deflected shot that Steele struggled to hold on to.

Just before the break the Bees were level, Chris Long bursting into the box and lashing his shot against Matthew Kilgallon and past the helpless Steele.

Blackburn had the final say in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, however, as neat interplay on the edge of the visitors' box saw the ball fall to Taylor, who smashed an angled shot into the roof of the Bees' net.