Rovers finally secure long awaited European victory

Blackburn Rovers finally savoured the sweet taste of a European victory to book their place in the group stages of the UEFA Cup, following a 2-0 victory at Ewood Park to progress 4-2 over the two legs.

Rovers went into the first-round tie with just one win in 17 UEFA Cup and Champions League games behind them - and that a dead-rubber group clash in the latter competition against Rosenborg.

But there was no doubting this success as they deservedly swept past Austrian League leaders Salzburg with goals either side of half-time from Benni McCarthy and a stunner from David Bentley.

Rovers dominated the game, despite the fact it was veteran manager Giovanni Trapattoni's side who needed to win to advance to the next phase after a 2-2 first-leg draw.

The two goals at the Bulls Arena a fortnight ago had given manager Mark Hughes' side a platform on which to build, despite an injury-time equaliser from Marc Janko.

On that basis the 6ft 4in striker was among three changes made to the Salzburg line-up, joining former Germany international Alexander Zickler - who grabbed the opener in Austria - in attack.

With Switzerland star Johan Vonlanthen on the left wing, Salzburg presented a threatening line-up, but they were tame throughout.

Instead it was Blackburn who stockpiled the chances until finally making their superiority count in the 32nd minute.

In the initial five minutes Bentley saw a shot rebound off Milan Dudic onto the roof of the net, while McCarthy had a close-range effort blocked by Timo Ochs.

The legs of Ochs then denied the normally-reliable Morten Gamst Pedersen midway through the half, with the Norway winger catching a high, bouncing ball with a powerful eight-yard half-volley.

When Shabani Nonda fired a left-foot volley into the sidenetting after being found by a delightfully-weighted ball from Tugay in the 31st minute, it appeared as if it might not be Rovers' night.

But such thoughts were swiftly dispelled just 60 seconds later as Blackburn's pressure finally brought its just reward.

After being played in by Pedersen down the left-hand edge of the area, McCarthy then turned Thomas Linke inside out before drilling a 15-yard drive inside Ochs' right-hand post.

It was a difficult chance superbly executed, only for the South Africa international to miss a sitter in first-half injury-time.

Bentley, who marauded the right wing throughout the game, whipped in a sizzling delivery with his right foot but McCarthy flashed past the right-hand post.

Salzburg's ineffectiveness was such that they failed to test Brad Friedel in the opening 45 minutes, other than collecting two long -range efforts from Vonlanthen and Zickler.

Their best chance arrived in the 19th minute when from a left-wing cross from Vonlanthen, Zurab Khizanishvili produced a remarkable hooked clearance over his left shoulder to deny the awaiting JankoThe interval failed to disrupt Blackburn's rhythm, and after Lucas Neill had crashed a 50th-minute, 20-yard drive a yard wide, Ewood Park erupted six minutes later.

There was nothing Ochs could do about what is certain to be a contender for goal of the month, if not the season.

Again there appeared little danger for Salzburg when Shabani Nonda nodded down a loose ball for Bentley outside the penalty area.

But after one touch on his chest, Bentley struck a sweet, dipping right-foot volley from 30 yards Ochs could only watch and admire as it flew into the right-hand corner of the net.

It was an impressive way to end a goal drought stretching back to February 1 - when he scored his first goal for the club and went on to net a hat-trick in a 4-3 Premiership victory over Manchester United.

Rovers then coasted to victory, with just one scare when Vladimir Janocko, a 65th-minute replacement for Zickler, curled a 20-yard free-kick onto the stanchion behind the goal, with Friedel rooted.

However, the game ended on a sour note when Pedersen was smashed in the face by the left forearm of Jorge Vargas as he attempted to deliver a cross.

Hughes fumed on the touchline as Portuguese referee Joao Francisco Lopes Ferreira took no action, despite Pedersen left prone and face down on the ground before receving treatment.