Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Swansea City: Daniel Ayala heads in late winner

Daniel Ayala heads home his first goal of the season to give Blackburn a first win in six league games

Daniel Ayala's 89th-minute header saw Blackburn Rovers beat Swansea City to boost their Championship play-off hopes.

Ayala powered home at the far post as Rovers snatched all three points from a forgettable game.

Blackburn's first league victory since New Year's Day lifts them to seventh, outside the top six on goal difference.

Swansea remain 12th having failed to build on their midweek victory over Blackpool.

The Welsh club's play-off chances look increasingly slim thanks to their failure to find any consistency since the World Cup break, with the gap to sixth place now standing at seven points.

But Blackburn remain firmly in the play-off hunt having ended a five-game winless streak in the second tier, albeit in unconvincing fashion.

Swansea have won only one league game at Ewood Park in more than 100 years of trying, yet they looked the more likely victors in a first half where Blackburn showed precious little ambition.

Russell Martin's side were allowed to take control of territory and possession as the hosts sat deep, though chances were limited at both ends of the field.

Swansea's clearest sight of goal came from a whipped Ryan Manning free-kick which Ben Cabango headed against the bar, before Harry Darling's effort on the rebound was gathered by Rovers keeper Aynsley Pears.

There was also a chance for Jay Fulton, but he poked Joel Latibeaudiere's low centre wide after a fine Darling pass.

Blackburn's one first-half effort came when Ben Brereton Diaz headed down for Tyrhys Dolan, who drove into the area only to shoot across the face.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's team finally showed some attacking intent after the break, with Brereton Diaz shooting wide before Sorba Thomas' cross-shot was hacked clear by Manning.

Swansea's Nathan Wood (left) watches on as Ben Cabango's first-half header hits the bar

Brereton Diaz then met Lewis Travis' inviting ball with a first-time effort which former Blackburn keeper Andy Fisher did well to smother.

Swansea's threat faded as they were made to do more defending, although Piroe might have done better with a 20-yard effort which flew too close to Pears.

With Blackburn set for a fifth successive league draw - which would probably have been a fair result - a half-cleared corner led to a timely first goal of the season for Ayala.

Dominic Hyam helped on Ryan Hedges' ball back into the box, and the Spanish centre-back arrived at the far post to head beyond Fisher.

Blackburn head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson:

"It was a big win. If you look at the performance and the result, I think it was deserved after two difficult games on the road.

"First half I was not happy, that was not the plan. We were too passive out of possession and we were not moving the ball quickly enough.

"Second half we created chances, we played front foot, aggressive football and good to see another clean sheet. The crowd got behind the players and I think you could see the players believed until the end.

"They showed the great spirit this team has."

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"I don't think we deserved to lose, but we don't get the first goal when we should. The story of the season, we can't keep a clean sheet.

"We actually defend the box really well, we limit them to one chance in 89 minutes, but then give away a really poor goal - second phase at a set-piece.

"It's a real killer blow. We should be leaving with a 0-0 at least. We had some really good chances in the first half. They have two moments and one goes in. It's frustrating.

"We can't get any momentum or consistency at the moment. We have to bounce back on Tuesday."