Santa Cruz ensures Derby hit a new low

Kenny Miller had given Derby the lead before Roque Santa Cruz scored twice and Jason Roberts grabbed the other for Blackburn.

This leaves Derby to play out a finale against Reading at Pride Park next Sunday in the knowledge that even victory will leave them a point short of the lowest mark of 15 set by Sunderland two years ago.

Miller kept his head after 19 minutes to give Paul Jewell's side just the start they needed in their struggle to avoid that unwanted record.

Blackburn were stunned as the Scotland striker made sure he stayed onside as he ran from the halfway line on to goalkeeper Roy Carroll's long kick. He still had plenty to do as he moved forward with the Blackburn defence appealing vainly for offside, but applied a calm finish to beat Brad Friedel — the sixth goal for Derby's top scorer in what has been such a dismal campaign for them.

It lifted the visitors and their fans, but two minutes into the time added by referee Uriah Rennie at the end of the first half, Blackburn — who had struggled against a side with their old boy Robbie Savage performing impressively in midfield — pulled themselves level. Carroll was at fault when he failed to hold on to Morten Gamst Pedersen's low shot and Santa Cruz swept in the equaliser from six yards.

The second half was only two minutes old when Roberts put Blackburn ahead, cashing in when defender Andy Todd unwittingly helped his former club by poking the ball into the path of the striker, who finished smartly.

Carroll then twice denied Roberts a second goal, the first time with a superb save from an overhead kick.

But after 77 minutes, there was no stopping Santa Cruz when he forced himself ahead of team-mates and opponents to meet David Bentley's cross and head in.

It was the 23rd goal of the season for the Paraguayan, who was presented with Blackburn's player of the year award before the game.