Scott Arfield scored the only goal of the game as Burnley defeated Blackburn Rovers in the East Lancashire derby this afternoon.

Jordan Rhodes came close to opening the scoring in the 10th minute when he reached a cross from Martin Olsson, but Tom Heaton scrambled to make the save.

Joey Barton thought that he had won Burnley a penalty 15 minutes later after a tackle from Grant Hanley but referee Keith Stroud dismissed the appeal.

It took 35 minutes for the game's first shot on target, when Tom Lawrence's effort from 22 yards was saved by Heaton.

Jason Steele was called into action two minutes later when Arfield's strike was directed towards the bottom left corner.

Blackburn had a penalty appeal shortly after, when Lawrence fell from Barton's challenge but, once again, Stroud waved play on.

Rhodes came close twice before half time, heading over the bar before striking past the post from 20 yards.

Lawrence had a superb chance to open the scoring 10 minutes after the restart but somehow ballooned the ball over the bar when one on one with Heaton.

Corry Evans was next to have a go for Blackburn but his shot fizzed past the post, before Rhodes shot straight at Heaton.

Arfield netted the winner against the run of play when his powerful strike from the edge of the area beat Steele and nestled into the back of the net with 27 minutes remaining.

Blackburn pushed for an equaliser but the Burnley defence held firm in the closing stages.

Hope Akpan's header went straight into the arms of Heaton but it was Craig Conway who came closest to equalising in the 82nd minute when his 30-yard strike bounced off the crossbar with Heaton beaten.

Shane Duffy then failed to control the ball in a good position from Conway's free kick and Evans headed wide in stoppage time.

With just seconds remaining, Duffy's powerful header was tipped over the bar by Heaton.

Written by
Jonathan McIntosh