Blackburn survived a second-half fightback from fellow strugglers QPR to secure three precious points in a 3-2 victory at Ewood Park.

Striker Ayegbeni Yakubu, back from suspension, opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area, Steven Nzonzi extended the home side's lead in the 23rd by converting Junior Hoilett's pass and Nedum Onuoha's own goal then made it 3-0 just prior to the interval.

Substitute Jamie Mackie netted in 71st minute and again in the 90th to set up a nervy finale, but Blackburn held on for the victory, bouncing back from last week's humiliating 7-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Rovers took the lead on the quarter-hour mark as Yakubu marked his comeback in style.

The Nigerian collected the ball from Nzonzi's flick-on, turned and smashed home past Paddy Kenny for his 14th goal of the season.

Blackburn doubled their advantage as Hoilett broke into the box and teed up Nzonzi, who swept the ball in.

Blackburn then made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time, Scott Dann heading the ball across the area for Hoilett, whose shot went in off Onuoha.

Rovers had to withdraw Hoilett at the start of the second half, but Yakubu sent an audacious chip against the crossbar as they hosts threatened to move further clear.

Instead with a little under 20 minutes to go Rangers pulled a goal back as Mackie put in Taye Taiwo's cross with a close-range finish.

Mackie then struck at the death to make it 3-2, but it was too late for the R's to salvage a draw.