Three first half goals set Blackburn on their way to a 4-2 home win over struggling Reading.

Benni McCarthy scored his first of the afternoon on 16 minutes and provider Roque Santa Cruz added the second five minutes later.

Rovers seemed set for a comfortable victory when Tugay hit a glorious third from all of 30 yards as Reading looked a side who had lost four of their last six games.

In the second half Blackburn lost their way as Reading poured forward in trying to save the game. They gave themselves a glimmer of hope when substitute Kevin Doyle headed a late goal but within a minute Rovers restored their three goal advantage with a McCarthy penalty.

Doyle got his second in injury time but it was Blackburn who held on for their sixth win in seven home games.

"I thought we where excellent the first half, enthused the Blackburn boss, Mark Hughes.

"We where really inventive in the final third with our interplay and speed of movement. It was difficult for them (Reading) to cope at times.

"Three goals before half time is something of a rarity for me but I quite enjoyed it. Second half the intensity of our play dropped which is somewhat understandable but we never lost our grip on the game.

"Disappointed with conceding from set pieces but apart from that I thought we were good value today."