Leeds United 0-3 Blackburn Rovers

Rhodes scored his 17th goal of the season

Blackburn scored three second-half goals as they eased to a comfortable victory at 10-man Leeds.

A bad week for the hosts, who suspended assistant coach Steve Thompson on Thursday, was made even worse when captain Rudy Austin was sent off for an off-the-ball clash with Ben Marshall.

Tom Cairney's close-range volley put Rovers ahead, before Jordan Rhodes headed in to double the lead.

Jay Spearing slid in a third as Leeds fell to their first loss in six games.

Leeds boss Neil Redfearn, who said he was considering his position after Thompson's suspension, appeared to have the backing of the home fans who chanted his name before kick-off.

The Elland Road side released a statement to say they would be making no further comment on the Thompson incident, who alongside Redfearn had seen the club lose just three league games in 2015 and rise from 21st in Championship to a mid-table position.

Leeds dominated the early stages but it was the visitors who almost went ahead against the run of play when Rhodes' shot took a deflection off Sol Bamba and looped onto the crossbar.

Former Huddersfield striker Rhodes went close again as he flashed a volley over the bar, before Austin headed over Charlie Taylor's cross from six yards at the other end.

Both sides continued to create chances before Blackburn's debutant teenage goalkeeper, David Raya, pulled off a fine save to keep out Sam Byram's strike which took a touch off Rovers defender Matthew Kilgallon.

Six minutes before the break, Leeds were reduced to 10 men as Jamaican Austin was shown a straight red card by referee Gary Sutton after he appeared to throw an arm at Marshall while waiting for a corner to be taken.

After Rudy Gestede and Rhodes had both gone close, Blackburn finally made their man advantage count when Cairney, who was released by Leeds as a youngster, volleyed home from close range after Gestede's cross was partially cleared.

Moments later Marshall almost doubled the lead but his fierce left-footed strike from the edge of the box rattled the bar.

But Rhodes soon made it 2-0 with his 17th goal of the season as he nodded in Chris Brown's cross.

Rovers continued to dominate and Bolton loanee Spearing scored his first goal for the club when he slotted in Marshall's right wing cross at the far post.

Rhodes almost added a fourth in injury-time but his curling strike came back off the inside of the post.

Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer:

"I thought we were excellent - very organised.

"We handled the occasion well after what had gone on at Leeds during the days building up to the game.

"We knew the crowd would get behind them and they gave Neil Redfearn tremendous support, but we were ruthless, which was pleasing."

Leeds manager Neil Redfearn:

"The fans were brilliant today, as they have been all season. They appreciate what we have achieved.

"The red card changed the game. I didn't see it at the time but I have watched it back several times. We should appeal because it was a poor decision.

"Rudi Austin pushed the lad in the chest with his forearm and the referee deemed it a red card. It was a big call on a linesman's say-so and it was wrong."