Blackburn 3
Santa Cruz 45,77 Roberts 47
Derby 1
Miller 19
Blackburn 3 Derby 1 May 03 2008
Blackburn pounced on defeats for Aston Villa and Portsmouth as they came from behind to beat Derby 3-1 thanks to Roque Santa Cruz's double.
Rovers, Villa and Pompey are all fighting for sixth place, but Mark Hughes' men were the only team to pocket three points after downing desperate Derby at Ewood Park.
The Rams were relegated weeks ago but took a shock lead when Kenny Miller latched on to Roy Carroll's long punt and coolly beat Brad Friedel on 19 minutes.
The hosts had dominated before Miller's opener, with David Bentley, Jason Roberts, Brett Emerton and Morten Gamst Pedersen all wasting chances.
Santa Cruz poked home a deserved equaliser on 45 minutes, though, and that momentum led to Roberts making it 2-1 two minutes after the break.
The Paraguayan hitman then headed home his 23rd goal of the season at the far post on 77 minutes to cap a superb comeback.