MANAGER Mark Hughes said he was both delighted and relieved after Rovers had ended their winless run.

Rovers recorded their first win in six games against the Premier League's basement club, Derby County, thanks to a quickfire double from the in-form Roque Santa Cruz and David Bentley.

And the Blackburn boss said: "It was a big game for us and really important that we got the three points.

"We shuffled the pack around and I thought it was a really good team effort - every player helping each other out throughout.

"Roque and David are obviously in fine form at the moment. People will rave about their performances, and rightly so, but there were many others who could look back with satisfaction on their work.

"I though Zurab (Khizanishvili) showed great character and there were telling contributions from both Benni (McCarthy) and Tugay as well.

"It's a great way to end the year and on the back of our point at Manchester City, really sets things up nicely.

"We're very much in the mix amongst a cluster of clubs chasing the European places and there remains a lot to play for."