Last updated on .From the section Championship

Luke Hyam headed into his own net to give Blackburn a first-half lead

Blackburn stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with a narrow home victory over struggling Rotherham.

Luke Hyam's first-half own goal was all that separated the two sides in a game of few chances at Ewood Park.

Hyam, on loan from Ipswich, headed a Craig Conway cross into his own net as he tried to clear.

This was Rotherham's eighth defeat in their past 11 games, but they went close to finding a leveller through a late Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Victory moved Blackburn into the top half of the table and to within two points of the top six.

Their third win in four games came courtesy of some good fortune as Hyam put them ahead against the run of play.

The midfielder did his best to atone for his mistake in the second half, but saw a shot on the edge of the penalty area from Grant Ward's pull-back deflected wide.

Millers midfielder Joe Newell had earlier been denied by Jason Steele's sharp save.

Shane Duffy's powerful header from a corner almost stretched Blackburn's lead but Lee Camp palmed it over the bar.

Rotherham were unable to find a way back, though, and remain second from bottom.

Rotherham manager Neil Redfearn and his opposite number Paul Lambert saw their sides create few chances

Blackburn manager Paul Lambert said:

"It wasn't a great game and Rotherham made it difficult as I knew they would.

"They're a hard team to play against. All credit to our team. If you can't play as well as you normally play and you see a game through, it's a great trait to have.

From our point of view, I'm delighted. Performance-wise, we are so much better than that but you have to give Rotherham credit."

Rotherham manager Neil Redfearn said:

"I thought we deserved to win if I'm honest. I thought we were the better side.

"Their goal is an own goal and we've defended well through the night. We've been the better side and come away with nothing.

"I have to say the application, the work-rate, effort and how they have applied themselves has been first-class.

"But these lads just need some help and that little bit of quality. If you'd had stuck Jordan Rhodes in our side, we'd have won 3-0 or 4-0."

Blackburn were fortunate to take a first-half lead through Luke Hyam's own goal

Kirk Broadfoot and Grant Hanley square up during a tense second-half

Shane Duffy had a second-half header palmed over the bar by Lee Camp