Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Reading: Tony Mowbray's side end winless run

Tyrhys Dolan got his fourth of the season for Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers ended a four-game winless run with victory over Reading thanks to goals from Sam Gallagher and Tyrhys Dolan at Ewood Park.

The Royals arrived in Lancashire on the back of five wins in their past seven games, but failed to take early chances for Baba Rahman and Andy Yiadom, while Gallagher struck the woodwork in a goalless first half.

Gallagher did find the net in the second period, tucking away Joe Rothwell's ball in just after the hour mark, having also forced a brave stop from Luke Southwood minutes before.

Dolan's curler three minutes later doubled the lead and gave Rovers some breathing space.

George Puscas forced a last-ditch challenge from Blackburn's defensive cover as Reading poured forward, while Leeds loanee Ian Poveda was unlucky not to add a third late on when he fired wide on the counter-attack.

Chile international Ben Brereton-Diaz has been the leading light for Blackburn this season with his 10 goals, but it was his supporting cast who took centre stage in this one.

Gallagher led the line and might have scored more than the strike which brought him a fifth goal of the campaign, while the wily Dolan also went close to a second after haring into the box shortly after his goal.

This win only takes them to 12th, but they are only one point behind Luton Town in fifth.

For Reading, while the threat of a points deduction looms for profit and sustainability breaches, and this result meant back-to-back defeats, they remain just two points off the top six.

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I thought they all worked hard but I don't ever sit here and think that our team got outworked. To all the supporters that come and watch this team, they should be happy their team are a bunch of kids that really grafted for the team.

"If I'm honest they had more technical footballers, more individuals, but I think we showed today what can be achieved by hard work.

"Joe Rothwell with the ball is a sensation. The good thing for me is he's working really hard out of possession, to mark people, check his shoulders and see where the ball is going and cut off passing lines. He's getting better."

Reading boss Veljko Paunovic:

"Unfortunately, I have to repeat the same thing as last game. Everything was under our control, especially in the first half.

"And even in the moments when we conceded the two goals, it happened after two giveaways. We have to be better in coping with counter-attacks or giveaways in the middle of the park.

"It's difficult to accept that today we didn't get a result and more than anything, what I'm disappointed in is we didn't score a goal because I think we played very good football.

"We didn't have the final pass, the final product. Most of the guys are carrying the burden of the whole season so far. I think there is a component of fatigue in today's execution."