Blackburn Rovers 2 Leeds United 1

Leeds head coach Neil Redfearn accused Luke Varney of diving as his side's poor away form continued with a defeat at ten-man Rovers.

The visitors looked on course for a much-needed away win through Souleymane Doukara's close-range effort.

But the game was turned on its head late on as Jordan Rhodes was gifted an equaliser through a calamitous mix-up between Marco Silvestri and Liam Cooper.

Tom Cairney's second booking meant Blackburn had to play the last ten minutes a man down but they snatched a dramatic late winner from the spot through Rhodes.

Leeds' players clearly thought the penalty, awarded for a Sam Byram foul on Varney, was incorrect.

Redfearn said: "We deserved to win, that's the bottom line. I didn't think Blackburn deserved anything. They huffed and puffed a bit in the second half but I thought we dealt with it.

"The first goal, we gave them and the second has never been a penalty. It's difficult for referees but those decisions, they have to get right. It should have been a free-kick to us and a yellow card for simulation.

"It's just a poor decision. I've looked back at it, I saw it straight away and it looked like a dive. It's not good for football really.

"But it's a young side and has to learn to get across the line. For 60-70 per cent of the game I thought we were excellent. We passed the ball well, got around their box well and were in control of the game for long spells.

"I don't think there would be many in the stadium that wouldn't agree we deserved at least a point and I'd have been gutted with that.

"The result, I'm disappointed with but the performance was very good and I've got to take that into the next game."

Leeds have won just once in their last ten away games, while Rovers moved into the top six.

Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer said: "I think it was our best win of the season. I thought we were good first half, conceded a scruffy goal, hit the bar with Tom Cairney. Steele made a good save but I thought we controlled the possession.

"But in the second half I thought we totally dominated the game. I can only remember Leeds hitting the post in the second half.

"The sending-off changed the game a little bit but full credit to our lads. The desire, belief, character, unity and commitment to each other was just unbelievable. And backed by magnificent support today. It was reminiscent of the Premier League days."

Bowyer described Rhodes as 'magnificent' as he put aside the disappointment of missing his last spot-kick against Huddersfield to secure the win with his seventh of the season.

"There was never any doubt that he was taking the penalty but it goes back to when he missed his penalty against Huddersfield. He was distraught and on the Monday he's practising penalties when everybody had finished training," said Bowyer.

"We're delighted with how he's been."