GARY Bowyer hailed a true team performance after Blackburn Rovers returned to winning ways with a 2-0 home success over Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Following four successive draws Rovers picked up three welcome points thanks to second-half goals from top scorer Jordan Rhodes and his recalled strike-partner Rudy Gestede.

Bowyer was quick to pay tribute to the contribution of the match-winning duo.

But he insisted every player who pulled on the Rovers short deserved praise for the unstinting shift they put in, just four days after a physically and mentally draining 3-3 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion “We always knew it was going to be very difficult against a Mick McCarthy team because they never stop so to get a win, a clean sheet and our two strikers scoring was very pleasing,” said boss Bowyer.

“The first goal was an outstanding goal. It was a good through ball from Rudy and Jordan has took it with his left foot first time – it was a fantastic finish.

“The delivery from Craig Conway for the second was quality and the big man was there – and we needed that second goal as Ipswich don’t let off.

“The whole team worked ever so hard and, on the back of the game on Tuesday, the effort from everyone was superb.”

The victory ended Rovers’ four-match winless home run while the clean sheet was their first in nine games and their 13th of the campaign.

However the shine was taken off the afternoon somewhat when midfielder Corry Evans went off late on with a groin injury which will require a scan.