Blackburn Rovers’ 15-year wait for a win over Lancashire rivals Burnley continues, as Zian Flemming’s diving header secured a 1-0 victory for the Clarets in a largely disappointing derby at Ewood Park.
Flemming’s fourth goal of the season extended Burnley’s unbeaten league run to 13 matches and reinforced their hold on second place in the Championship table.
The first half saw neither side register a shot on target, with Rovers’ Amario Cozier-Duberry having one effort deflected over and another, which was off-target, saved by Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
Burnley came out more determined after the break and took the lead on the hour mark when Flemming’s powerful diving header from Bashir Humphreys’ cross beat Aynsley Pears in the Blackburn goal.
The goal sparked life into the home side, with Trafford managing to gather a loose ball in the Burnley area after it had ricocheted around the six-yard box. Sondre Tronstad also saw a 20-yard shot deflected wide.
Jaidon Anthony nearly doubled Burnley’s advantage, but Pears did well to save his powerful shot. Rovers then came agonisingly close to an equaliser when Lewis Baker’s header narrowly missed the post.
Blackburn have now suffered three defeats in a five-match winless run, with their play-off push faltering after a six-match winning streak.
For Burnley, it was a 17th clean sheet of the season as they now shift focus to an FA Cup tie against Reading next week before facing promotion rivals Sunderland.