Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen was on target late in the second half as his side went down 2-1 to Birmingham City in the Premier League overnight.

The New Zealand skipper was on hand to score in the 69th minute after Pascal Chimbonda's effort from a Morten Gamst Pedersen free-kick was thwarted by Blues keeper Joe Hart to give the Rovers hope at 2-1.

Earlier, Birmingham's Cameron Jerome hit a double to give his side the ascendency before Nelsen restored stability but the home side held out to record their fifth win on the trot and climb to sixth on the league table.

It was Nelsen's second goal of the campaign but it did nothing to push his side up the table as they remain in 12th position, a point ahead of Burnley who take on Arsenal tonight.