Rudy Gestede's first-half strike was enough to give Blackburn Rovers the lead away to beleaguered Blackpool at the interval of their Lancashire derby.

Rovers started brightly when Jordan Rhodes nearly opened the scoring inside the first 15 minutes, but his effort was tipped over by Joe Lewis.

The Tangerines refused to be overawed in the early stages, with Nathan Delfouneso going close for Jose Riga's side.

However, it was Blackburn who broke the deadlock on 26 minutes when Gestede found space to shoot and his effort rolled into the bottom corner of Blackpool's net.

Delfouneso and Ishmael Miller continued to pressure the Rovers defence in a bid to equalise, but the hosts nearly fell further behind when Gestede produced a header that Lewis did well to keep out.

Blackpool are searching for their first victory in the Championship this season, having lost at Nottingham Forest last weekend.