PROMOTION has never looked more likely for Blackburn Rovers Ladies after they pulled out a much-needed victory against Huddersfield Ladies.

Despite a poor performance from the normally impressive side, left midfielder Vikki Eastwood secured three points for Rovers with a spectacular goal in the 85th minute. The win saw Rovers move up into third place in the Women's Northern Combination League, only separated from second place Scunthorpe on goal difference.

Manager Wayne Riley said: "The team certainly didn't play at their best on Sunday but ground out the result we needed, and at the end of the day it's getting three points that counts.

"We're at a crucial stage now, we've got a tough away game against fourth place Newcastle on Sunday and a win would take us up to eight points ahead of them.

"Also Middlesbrough, who claimed the league with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday, will play Scunthorpe this weekend and if they win we will have a better chance of stealing second place."

And Rovers can take solace in the fact that their four remaining games after Newcastle are home fixtures as the team boast a remarkable unbeaten home record.

"Our performance has been excellent lately, especially at home, and with the return of Angela Ralph from suspension we have a full squad for our remaining games.

"My ambition at the start of the season was to secure promotion to the Northern Premiership and hopefully it shouldn't prove too difficult to make that a reality."

ROVERS LADIES...1 HUDDERSFIELD LADIES...0