Blackburn beat Preston to go fifth in English Championship

Blackburn beat Preston 2-1 on Friday to move back into the Championship play-off places.

Makhtar Gueye's header and a Todd Cantwell penalty secured them a 2-1 win over their Lancashire rivals at Ewood Park.

Blackburn, on a three-match winless run in the league, took the lead when Gueye sent a diving header past Freddie Woodman in the 39th minute.

And substitute Cantwell then added a second from the spot with 12 minutes of normal time to go after Jack Whatmough was adjudged to have fouled Dom Hyam.

Preston pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Brad Potts but Blackburn were able to see out a win that took John Eustace's men up from seventh to fifth in the table ahead of the weekend's action.

Paul Heckingbottom's Preston remain 15th as their run of four games unbeaten came to an end.

"That never say die attitude is there for everyone to see.

"No matter how tired the boys are, they got through it and I thought we fully deserved the victory," Blackburn boss John Eustace told sky Sports.