Blackburn Rovers miss out on playoffs despite win

Blackburn Rovers have missed out on a place in the Championship playoffs as a 4-3 win over Wigan Athletic was not enough to get them into the top six.

Rovers took the lead in the 13th minute when Tom Cairney picked up the ball on the left and drove into the box, beating three Wigan players before slotting a shot into the bottom corner.

However, Wigan were level within minutes as Martyn Waghorn's corner from the right was turned in by Ivan Ramis off the bar after James McClean had flicked the ball on at the near post.

Blackburn responded and retook the lead in the 19th minute when Craig Conway sped down the left flank and cut the ball back for Rudy Gestede, who fired the ball past Scott Carson.

The home side got their third of the afternoon when Conway cut in from the right and lifted a cross to the back post for Gestede, who powered a header into the bottom corner.

After half time, Cairney almost got his second of the afternoon when he picked up the ball on the edge of the area, but his shot was deflected just wide of the post.

Wigan then all but dented Blackburn's small hopes of reaching the playoffs when they got a goal back through McClean as he crashed a volley into the net from close range.

Blackburn gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Conway lifted yet another cross into the penalty area, which was headed in by Jordan Rhodes.

However, the Latics got a third goal to end Rovers' playoff hopes as Nicky Maynard found the net in the 87th minute.