Derby delight for PNE boss Grayson

It was the Lilywhites' third away success in a local derby this season after wins at Burnley and Bolton.

They had to come from behind to win, former PNE loanee Elliott Ward putting Rovers ahead in the 13th minute.

But North End were in front by half-time, Joe Garner levelling from the penalty spot after home skipper Shane Duffy had been sent off for handling a shot from Hugill on the line.

Jordan Hugill volleyed what turned out to be the winner in the 43rd minute, meeting a fine cross from Paul Gallagher.

Grayson said: "You know what these games are going to be about, you have to earn the right to play and go on and win the game.

"We are delighted to have won the game, got three points and sent our 7,000 travelling fans home in a really positive manner.

"Blackburn started the game better than us and I was disappointed to concede the goal we did.

"We got back into it with the penalty, it was handball on the line and the referee made the correct decision.

"It was nice to equalise and in the period up to half-time we controlled the game and got the second goal.

"We started the second half really well after Blackburn changed their system and the game could have been put to bed a lot earlier.

"At 2-1 as the game went on, we knew they would thrown stuff at us, we had to be on our guard.

"We didn't take one or two chances which came our way while they defended well."

Grayson started with Garner and Hugill up front, leaving Jermaine Beckford on the bench until the closing stages while Eoin Doyle - scorer of two goals in the previous two game - was an unused substitute.

Hugill justified his selection with the goal and a strong, battling performance against a physical Rovers back four.

"Jordan did well, he was a real handful," said Grayson.

"It was not an easy decision in terms of the selection, I had to leave players out of the squad.

"But Jordan has earned the right to be in the side.

"Joe Garner got us back in with the penalty and then it was a great finish by Jordan for the winner.

"It was a great ball in from Gally, he knew where to put it, and it was not an easy finish for Jordan, he had work to do with it."