Blackburn finally savoured the sweet taste of a European victory with a 2-0 (4-2 aggregate) win over Red Bull Salzbyrg to book their place in the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

Rovers went into the first-round tie with just one win in 17 UEFA Cup and Champions League games behind them, and that a dead-rubber group clash in the latter competition against Rosenborg.

But there was no doubting this success as they deservedly swept past Austrian League leaders Salzburg with goals either side of half time from Benni McCarthy and a stunner from David Bentley.