Jason Lowe's first ever Blackburn Rovers goal gave the Lancashire outfit a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

Alan Judge's 12th-minute free kick was tipped over the bar by Jason Steele and he wasted another good chance just after the half-hour mark.

The best chance of the half fell to Jordan Rhodes, whose downward header was tipped wide by a sprawling Steele.

Middlesbrough struggled to get a foothold in the opening period, with their only chance falling to Jonathan Woodgate, who headed wide from Grant Leadbitter's free kick.

Both sides had chances in first-half stoppage time, but Kei Kamara's header was tipped round the post before Joshua King saw his long-range effort palmed over the bar.

In the 60th minute, Woodgate's goalbound header was blocked on the line. Ten minutes later, the former England international seemed to bring down Matthew Kilgallon in the box, but the referee waved play on.

However, the home supporters were cheering a goal in the 76th minute when Lowe opened his Rovers account with a powerful 25-yard strike that flew into the top corner.

Rhodes came agonisingly close to wrapping up the victory in the 89th minute, but the striker could not get a strong enough toe on the end of Chris Taylor's cross.

In the dying minutes, Scott Dann threw his body in the way of Kamara's goalbound effort as the home side clung on to secure all three points.