Substitute Arnor Sigurdsson's late winner maintained Blackburn's unbeaten start to the Championship season
Blackburn continued their strong start to the season with a narrow 2-1 win over Championship new boys Oxford United at Ewood Park.
An entertaining first half was lit up by Mark Harris' stunning 35-yard dipping volley over Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears in the 44th minute for his third goal in as many league games.
In a manic few minutes, Blackburn winger Joe Rankin-Costello cancelled out Harris' screamer in additional time at the end of the first half after Oxford failed to clear their lines.
Substitute Arnor Sigurdsson won it late for Rovers with a guided finish in off the post with eight minutes left with his first goal since New Year's Day.
The result maintains Blackburn's unbeaten start to the campaign, while the U's suffer a second straight defeat.
United started the stronger side and could have been ahead after just seven minutes but Matt Phillips' left-foot shot was denied by the boot of Rovers 'keeper Pears.
Rovers initially lacked the rhythm that had seen them score 12 goals in their opening three matches this season and U's centre back Idris El Mizouni should have opened the scoring for the visitors after a pinpoint Phillips cross but mistimed his header with the goal at his mercy.
Soon after, the highlight of the match came from Harris' magnificent long-range strike following a long ball from U's goalkeeper Jamie Cumming and a flick-on from Phillips.
United's lead only lasted three minutes, however, and Rankin-Costello's accurate turn and strike past Cumming was not in keeping for a player who had failed to score in his last 17 appearances for Rovers.
The hosts turned the screw in the second half and Japanese forward Yuki Ohashi was inches away from putting Blackburn in front but failed to make contact to an inviting cross into the box.
It was the tale of the substitutes in the end for John Eustace's side as Icelandic winger Sigurdsson combined with fellow sub Makhtar Gueye to find the bottom corner in the final stages to secure a hard-fought three points for Rovers.
Blackburn's first back-to-back home wins since March 2023 means they remain third in the Championship table whilst Oxford drop to 12th.
Blackburn manager John Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"It was a really difficult, typical Championship game. Oxford are very well coached and difficult to play against.
"I was delighted to get the three points. We got into some really good areas in the first half - it was just the final pass.
"They scored a fantastic goal but to equalise before half-time made it easier for us. We could make some positive changes and we were very good.
"We've got great characters and it's been very evident in the games we've played that everyone in the squad is very important."
Oxford United head coach Des Buckingham:
"It's disappointing because you feel you've done enough to go in at half-time with a lead, and I think you can approach the second half a little bit differently whether it be with your changes or how you want to set up.
"As easy as it is to say 'don't let it affect you', obviously it does take the stuffing out of you a little bit, especially when it's the last moment of the first half.
"I think, on fair reflection, a draw is probably a fair result. I thought both teams really had a good go, tried to play some good football."
