Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Bobby Zamora has scored six league goals for Brighton this season

Bobby Zamora scored on his 35th birthday to give Brighton victory at Blackburn Rovers and their first Championship win in eight games.

Zamora tapped the visitors into a third-minute lead at Ewood Park after Jamie Murphy's shot hit the post.

Shortly after the break, Blackburn's Ben Marshall curled a free-kick against the inside of the upright.

Anthony Knockaert also struck the woodwork for the Seagulls as they won for the first time since 5 December.

The win moved Brighton back into the play-off places after they had slipped to seventh following Sheffield Wednesday's victory over Leeds in the lunchtime kick-off.

Zamora's strike halted a dramatic decline for Albion who, after going unbeaten for the opening 21 matches of the season, had not won since beating Charlton six weeks ago and had gone five league games without a goal.

The big striker was instrumental throughout a wintry afternoon in the north west, seeing another shot saved by Jason Steele and lifting the ball just wide of Steele's right-hand post.

Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes, who had scored three goals in his last three home games against Brighton, failed to make an impact as his best effort struck the side netting.

Rovers are now without a win in six games and remain 18th, while Brighton move up to fifth.

Blackburn Rovers manager Paul Lambert:

"When a goal goes in against us, it rocks us a bit and it shouldn't because we have so much time to retrieve the situation.

"First half we started okay and with their first attack they scored. For 20 minutes after that we played too slow, passing the ball backwards and I don't want to see that type of football. I want to go forward. Second half was more up and at them.

"For this club to improve and to have any chance, we have to be a lot better as a group and a team."

Brighton manager Chris Hughton:

"It's a big win for us today and we needed it, probably on the back of our most disappointing result against Rotherham.

"Apart from that, I can't fault the players' application. Some of the games we've lost, I didn't think we deserved to lose. But that's the Championship.

"What we did see is a really good reaction from Tuesday night."