Chris Basham should have done better for the Blades but scuffed his effort after a mazy dribble past three Rovers defenders and Tyrhys Dolan's fierce shot hit the outside of the post as the hosts then looked to double their advantage before the break.

Sammie Szmodics came close to a second for Rovers when his fine curled shot from 25 yards hit the crossbar and they deservedly held on for what could prove to be a huge win in the race for the Premier League.

A fourth straight victory for Blackburn saw them move up to third in the table, six points behind the second-placed Blades, albeit having played a game more.

The two sides meet again at Bramall Lane in two weeks time in the FA Cup quarter-finals after both recorded victories over Premier League sides in the fifth round in midweek.