Blackburn 1-0 Leeds: Todd Cantwell's penalty earns hosts a shock victory over promotion favourites at Ewood Park as John Eustace's men continue play-off charge

• e-mail

Take a bow, Todd Cantwell and Tyrhys Dolan. On Saturday they had Daniel Farke’s weary promotion favourites on toast.

The attacking duo had the freedom of the pitch and are to thank for their third straight win. Blackburn were tipped to struggle at the start of the campaign but are flirting with the play-offs.

‘It’s important not to get too carried away,’ said Rovers boss John Eustace – but Cantwell has them dreaming. ‘It’s important Toddy is off the mark now. He’s really a focal point for us now and helping us evolve as a footballing team.’

Leeds brought 7,000 fans in their deafening droves for a fixture that could have sent them top but they were dulled by the twinkletoes of Dolan, Cantwell’s penalty, and an unyielding defence.

This was a feisty affair. Dolan could have been sent off for hacksaw challenge on Junior Firpo.

But Blackburn were good value for their win. They should have scored after 12 minutes when Yuki Ohashi crashed a header against the bar, and Owen Beck sliced the six-yard follow-up into the stands.

Todd Cantwell converted a first-half penalty to give Blackburn Rovers the win over Leeds United

Tyrhys Dolan had the freedom of the right flank and won the penalty for Cantwell to score 

John Eustace has his men on the brink of the top six, despite them not being fancied that heavily at the start of the season 

Rovers were sometimes sleepy. Twice in the first half Aynsley Pears had to scamper out to spare their blushes after lackadaisical passes – first to deny Willy Gnonto and then Joel Piroe.

The breakthrough came after 22 minutes. Cantwell squeezed his penalty past Illan Meslier but he had Dolan to thank. The right-winger had skipped past Pascal Struijk into the area and was barged down by Ao Tanaka.

Leeds came out frenzied after the break and Blackburn again needed Pears’ heroics, with a top-notch save denying Struijk's bullet header.

Daniel Farke had the luxury of bringing on Patrick Bamford, Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani, and Mateo Joseph. It looked to have paid dividends when Ramazani smashed the ball in after a rebound off the post. To their chagrin, he was offside.

Blackburn hung on and so Leeds were left blunted at Fortress Ewood – and are three points shy of pacesetters Sheffield United.

‘They had the better start and that was decisive today,’ said Farke. ‘It was our third game in six days but I don’t want to search for excuses.’