BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer hailed Rudy Gestede after the striker returned to haunt former club Cardiff by earning a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City Stadium.

The Bluebirds had looked set to ease the pressure on under-fire boss Russell Slade after defender Sean Morrison powered in a header from Peter Whittingham’s corner with six minutes to go.

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But Gestede, sold to Rovers for just £200,000 13 months ago, slotted home from close range in the 90th minute after Scott Malone had blocked Josh King’s effort.

It means Rovers can continue to dream of a play-off run - they are now 10 points off the top six - and Bowyer was full of praise for his 15-goal frontman.

He said: “I am really pleased for Rudy. He didn’t play as much as he would have liked when he was here and that goal would have meant a lot to him.

“He has been great for our club and long may he score goals for us. He has been superb.

“It was a relief when the window closed and he was still with us, there was a fair bit of interest in him, and hopefully FIFA will look at getting rid of the mid-season window as it is a nightmare.”

The Benin international’s goal was his first in the Championship since netting in the defeat at Brentford in mid-December.

Gestede will now be hoping to keep his place for the home game with Blackpool on Saturday.