Blackburn 1-0 AS Nancy

By Matt Braithwaite

Neill scores the dramatic winner two minutes into injury-time

Lucas Neill's late strike secured victory for Blackburn against Nancy to leave them top of their Uefa Cup group.

Neill's turn and shot from the edge of the area in stoppage time settled a match that appeared destined to finish goalless thanks to fine goalkeeping.

Nancy debutant Johan Lapeyre had blocked Matt Derbyshire's shot and saved David Bentley's dipping strike.

Nancy were denied by Brad Friedel and had a penalty claim turned down when Neill challenged Issair Dia.

Interview: Blackburn manager Mark Hughes

Derbyshire had the first clear chance for Blackburn when he latched on to a ball through the Nancy defence but he fired straight at goalkeeper Lapeyre from 15 yards.

606 DEBATE: Your reaction to Blackburn's victory

Blackburn had a scare when the lively Dia went down in the box under pressure from Neill, but the striker was booked for diving.

Nancy could have taken the lead just before half-time when Kim evaded Neill's challenge but his shot hit the post.

Pascal Berenguer had the Blackburn goal at his mercy at the start of the second half but miscued his shot.

Friedel had to make a smart stop from a free kick before his Nancy counterpart Lapeyre saved at full stretch to keep out David Bentley's dipping shot.

Friedel then had to be alert to tip the ball over the bar when Kim struck a shot from near the halfway line.

Mikael Chretien's high and wide shot for Nancy towards the end typified a frustrating evening in front of goal before Neill finally found the target.

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Blackburn manager Mark Hughes:

"It was a difficult game, but I think we deserved the win.

"Nancy came with the view of keeping it nice and tight, and it was very difficult to get any momentum into our play because of that attitude.

"I'm delighted with the result. We had to win it, and Nancy tried slowing the game down - but we kept going."

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Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Todd (Nolan 28), Ooijer, McEveley, Bentley, Savage, Mokoena, Peter (Pedersen 67), Derbyshire, Gallagher (McCarthy 67).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Kerimoglu, Nonda, Gray.

Booked: Mokoena, Ooijer.

Goals: Neill 90.

AS Nancy: Lapeyre, Lecluse, Diakhate, Puygrenier, Chretien, Berenguer, Andre Luiz, Gavanon, Biancalani (Sauget 73), Kim (Curbelo 76), Dia (N'Guemo 64).
Subs Not Used: Sorin, Hamdani, Keita, Brison.

Booked: Dia, Gavanon.

Att: 12,568

Ref: Gerald Lehner (Austria).