Blackburn Rovers head into half time with a 1-0 lead over Charlton Athletic courtesy of a headed goal from Rudy Gestede.

The Addicks almost opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Diego Poyet picked out Callum Harriott in the area, but the striker could only drag his effort wide of the mark.

Blackburn came close in the 23rd minute as Jordan Rhodes beat Charlton goalkeeper Ben Hamer to a cross, only to put his header wide.

Rovers took the lead with 26 minutes on the clock, Joshua King supplying the cross and Gestede meeting it with a glancing header that left Hamer stranded.

Charlton almost produced an immediate response as Astrit Ajdarevic's acrobatic effort sailed wide, but there was a let-off for them moments later when Marcus Olsson went clean through on goal only to produce a glaring miss.

The Addicks were handed a lifeline one minute before half time when Marvin Sordell drew a foul in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot.

Sordell stepped up to take the penalty himself, but directed his effort straight at Rovers keeper Paul Robinson, leaving his side trailing at the interval.