ROVERS stretched their unbeaten home run to four games with a hard-fought victory over the Lions at a wind and rain-lashed Ewood Park.

Jordan Rhodes gave Gary Bowyer’s boys the lead in the 22nd minute only for Martyn Waghorn to bring Steve Lomas’ side level 20 minutes later.

Ben Marshall’s first goal for the club, three minutes after half-time, put Rovers back in front and substitute David Dunn seemingly settled the contest when he netted five minutes from time.

But there was still time for Steve Morison to reduce the deficit and the same player went close to grabbing a point for Millwall in five tense minutes of injury-time.

Rovers held on, however, to ensure they climbed up to 11th and within six points of the play-off places.

There were two moments of quality in a first half as poor as the conditions – and both resulted in goals.

The Lions saw a couple of half-chances come and go from crosses into the box while Tom Cairney forced David Forde into a save at his near post from a well struck free kick.

But it still came as a surprise when Rhodes opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

There appeared little on when the striker chased down a long ball upfield.

But after bringing it under his control, Rhodes left Mark Beevers on his backside before rifling an angled 20-yard drive back across Forde and into the bottom corner.

It was a wonderful finish – and the Scotland international’s 12th goal of the campaign.

The goal should have given Rovers the impetus to take control of the game.

Instead Millwall – chasing their first away victory since September – were allowed to work their way back into the match and, after Morison had a strong penalty appeal turned down, they got the equaliser they deserved in the 42nd minute.

Liam Trotter showed excellent footwork before opening up the Rovers defence with a pass to Morison.

The on-loan Leeds United striker looked up before unselfishly squaring the ball across the area for his strike-partner Waghorn to slide in at the back post.

Waghorn – playing the last game of his loan from Leicester City – could have scored again moments later had Grant Hanley not prevented him from latching on to a Paul Robinson pass.

It proved a vital interception as shortly after the restart Rovers regained the advantage.

Tommy Spurr’s deep cross from the left was a good one and, after ghosting into the box, the unmarked Marshall planted a firm header past Forde.

Forde had no chance.

But the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper did manage to save from Chris Taylor three minutes later.

Taylor – up against his old team – drove at the Lions defence before playing a one-two with Marshall and seeing his left-footed effort from 20 yards turned over by Forde.

Then it was the turn of Simon Eastwood to be called into action.

Martyn Woolford shrugged off Adam Henley – who claimed he had been fouled – in the area and fired in a strike that Eastwood had to push over the bar.

Millwall were responding strongly.

But they were grateful to Forde for denying Taylor and then Rhodes after the latter had raced on to a superb through ball by Dunn.

And it was Dunn who thought he had made the game safe in the 85th minute after he nodded in off the post from close range after Hanley and then Rhodes had kept a Cairney corner alive.

But Morison set up a nervy finish when he tapped in at the back post after Eastwood missed sub Andy Keogh’s corner.

Eastwood, however, atoned for his error in injury-time when he did brilliantly to get down low to his right to stop Morison’s side-footed shot hitting the net.

Rovers: Eastwood, Henley, Dann, Hanley, Spurr, Marshall, Lowe, Cairney, King (Dunn 75), Taylor, Rhodes (Gestede 88). Subs: Kean, Kane, Kilgallon, Marrow, Rochina.

Booked: Taylor.

Goals: Rhodes 22, Marshall 48, Dunn 85.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne (Hoyte 85), Robinson, Beevers, Malone, Feeney (Easter 71), Trotter, Abdou (Keogh 77), Woolford, Waghorn, Morison. Subs: Bywater, Shittu, Moussi, McDonald.

Booked: Abdou, Feeney.

Goals: Waghorn 42, Morrison 89.

Referee: David Webb.

Attendance: 12,643.