Jordan Rhodes struck twice on his return to the Blackburn Rovers starting XI as they came from a goal down to beat Leeds United 2-1 in dramatic style this afternoon.
Adryan almost put the visitors ahead in the 10th minute, but Jason Steele was out quickly to foil him, while at the other end Ben Marshall went close with two long-range efforts.
Tom Cairney then rattled the bar as the hosts began to see more of the ball, and Marshall continued to show the sort of form that has seen him score six goals already this season with another strong strike.
Not to be outdone, Adryan forced Steele into a good save as both sides looked inventive in attack.
In the 33rd minute, Leeds took the lead through Souleymane Doukara, who poked the ball home after Rovers had failed to clear a corner.
Both sides then wasted headed efforts before the break, as Jason Pearce squandered the opportunity to put Leeds two goals ahead before Rudy Gestede planted his header over the bar.
Leeds had a couple of half-chances after the break, but had Marco Silvestri to thank on the hour mark as he made a reaction save to push away Rhodes's goalbound header.
Blackburn poured forward in numbers, with Gestede and Rhodes going close before the Scottish international levelled 20 minutes from time as he capitalised on a mix-up between Silvestri and Liam Cooper to tap the ball into an empty net.
The hosts were fortunate to stay level though, as Mirco Antenucci struck the post and their task of finding a winner was made harder eight minutes from time as Cairney was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Cooper.
However, Sam Byram hacked down Luke Varney in the box three minutes from time and Rhodes coolly stroked home the penalty to move Blackburn into the playoff places.
Kristian Johnson
