Danny Graham at the double as high-flying Blackburn down Walsall

Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2018 by PA

Blackburn produced a dominant display as they eased to a 3-1 victory against Walsall and climb into the top two of League One.

Danny Graham’s first-half double put the hosts in control, but Joe Edwards replied for the visitors just before half-time.

However, Bradley Dack’s strike extinguished any hopes of a Walsall comeback, who also had goalkeeper Liam Roberts to thank for keeping the score respectable.

The hosts flew out of the traps and netted after five minutes when Graham fired home from a tight angle.

Roberts produced a stunning reflex save to keep out former Walsall defender Paul Downing’s header as Blackburn piled on the pressure, but the 23-year-old could do nothing when Richie Smallwood’s pinpoint cross was headed home by Graham for his sixth goal in four home league games.

Walsall replied eight minutes before the break when Edwards shrugged off Ryan Nyambe before firing into the roof of the net, but Dack slotted from close range two minutes after restart to end a superb team move and put Rovers out of sight.

Adam Armstrong almost recorded his first Blackburn goal when rattled the crossbar in stoppage-time as Rovers extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches.