FULL-TIME REPORT & VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Blackburn Rovers 4 Rotherham United 2

Craig Conway, full debutant Marvin Emnes, Ben Marshall and man-of-the-match Sam Gallagher found the net as Owen Coyle’s side ended their seven-match winless run in thrilling fashion after Danny Ward had put fellow strugglers Rotherham in front – and then threatened to set up a frantic finish.

Rovers boss Coyle made two changes to the team that started Tuesday’s devastating defeat at Leeds United with Emnes and Danny Guthrie replacing the injured Danny Graham and the benched Hope Akpan.

And Emnes, who was making his first appearance at a sun-kissed Ewood Park, was straight into the action, producing a brilliant bit of skill on the byline to create a shooting opportunity which he dragged wide.

The on-loan Swansea City striker then threaded a defence-splitting pass through to Marshall who could not get the ball under his control as the chance passed.

But Ward certainly took the opening that came his way in the 12th minute.

Stephen Kelly won a 50-50 on the touchline and played the ball infield to Isaiah Brown.

The on-loan Chelsea attacker had the time and space to weigh up his options – and he chose the right one as he slipped in Ward to beat Jason Steele.

After 3-0, 3-0 and 4-0 defeats, it was Rotherham’s first away goal of the season.

But, while it was fine build-up and finish, it was all too easy.

However, after Brown saw a shot deflect behind, Rovers refused to let their heads drop.

And in the 22nd minute they equalised as Conway collected a pass inside from Corry Evans and rifled a wonderful right-footed rising drive past Lee Camp into the top corner.

It was the indefatigable winger’s third goal of the campaign – and, like his strikes against Burton Albion and Crewe Alexandra, it was out of the top drawer.

Birthday boy Gallagher, who turned 21 on Thursday, then saw a powerful attempt of his own pushed past the post by Camp.

But the Millers responded strongly to being pegged back and, after Brown opened up the Rovers defence again, Steele this time saved one-on-one from Ward.

Steele then had to tip a header from one of his own defenders on to the bar and over – and from the resultant corner Marshall had to block a goal-bound Greg Halford header behind.

But it was Rovers who struck next in the 29th minute – and what a lovely goal it was too.

Gallagher let a ball down the line run through to Conway who made it five assists for the season with the perfect pull-back for Emnes who made it two goals in as many matches with a cool side-footed finish.

The chances continue to pile up with Ward stinging Steele’s hands from distance before Camp produced a superb save to stop Joe Mattock from turning another Conway cross into his own net.

But there was nothing the Rotherham goalkeeper could do to prevent his side from falling further behind 20 seconds after the restart.

Gallagher and Emnes combined to play in Marshall who was allowed to cut inside on to his left foot before curling the ball beautifully into the far corner to open his account for the season.

From then on it looked like there was only going to be one winner and Gallagher, on three occasions, went close.

He saw one right-footed shot deflect inches wide and another gathered by Camp before he planted a header on to the top of the bar following yet another teasing Conway centre.

Rovers, roared on by a small but inspirational crowd, should have gone on to make the game safe.

But, after injured centre-back Gordon Greer and tiring midfielder Evans were replaced by Scott Wharton and Darragh Lenihan, they conceded yet another late goal.

There were seven minutes of normal time remaining when Kelly clipped over a cross toward the near post where Ward nipped in ahead of Wharton to head past Steele.

Camp then saved from Emnes as the magnificent home fans did everything they could to help their team over the line.

And, after Steele denied Ward, in the second minute of added time Rovers got the goal that killed the contest.

Emnes raced on to a pass down the line from Marshall and outmuscled his marker before laying the ball on a plate for Gallagher who gleefully swept the ball into the back of the net to get the goal he deserved.

Like Conway, it was his third of a season, which Rovers have, at last, got up and running.

MATCH FACTS

Rovers: Steele, Lowe, Greer (Wharton 82), Hoban, Williams, Guthrie, Evans (Lenihan 82), Marshall, Emnes, Conway (Samuelsen 90), Gallagher. Subs not used: Raya, Feeney, Byrne, Akpan.

Booked: Evans.

Goals: Conway 22, Emnes 29, Marshall 46, Gallagher 90.

Rotherham: Camp, Kelly, Wilson, Fry, Mattock, Halford (Frecklington 50), Adeyemi (Vaulks 75), Taylor, Brown, Allan (Yates 51), Ward. Subs not used: Price, Forde, Ball, Newell.

Booked: Mattock, Brown, Adeyemi, Kelly.

Goals: Ward 12, 83.

Referee: Darren Bond.

Attendance: 10,699 (734 away).