Rovers 3 Wimbledon 1 THE smile on Jack Walker's face as he left Ewood Park was worth a million dollars. And, if Blackburn Rovers can repeat the standards of their stunning first-half performance on a regular basis, he could be laughing all the way to Premiership safety.

True, like the rest of us, Ewood's main man had been forced to endure a second half that was a complete anti-climax.

But football's like that and, especially in Rovers' present precarious position, it doesn't really matter when the goals come along - just so long as they do.

Besides, you won't find Ewood diehards complaining. All they wanted was a victory and, after just 25 minutes, it was in the bag against lacklustre and toothless Wimbledon. Not that 'Uncle Jack' seemed too concerned anyway.

As Rovers hauled themselves out of the bottom three, the person who stands to lose most if relegation becomes a reality revealed that he hadn't even given it a thought.

"I have never been in any doubt about staying up with the manager we have got," he told me seconds before climbing into his airport-bound limo.

"We speak on a regular basis and we never talk about relegation."

In business - and that's what the Premiership is - Jack Walker doesn't get many things wrong, so Rovers fans will no doubt be re-assured that the man at the top isn't losing any sleep.

And, in transfer deadline week, or perhaps more pertinently with an eye on the future, he re-affirmed his commitment.

"Yes, it's going to be tight but if the manager wants new players - whatever it takes."

If only Brian Kidd can get a few more of the playing assets he already has back on the pitch, he won't need to ask for that cheque book to come out too often.

But, with what he had, the manager shaped them into as strong a force as Rovers fans have seen for some time - well, for 45 minutes at least.

When you are brilliant in the first half and not very good in the second everyone goes away with their day a little soured.

Reverse that pattern, score late goals and people say what a great game it was. But the bottom line is that victory was essential and three crucial points were snapped up early doors.

Rovers were as ordinary in the second half as they had been outstanding in the first. They took the initiative from the first kick and if they had been 5-0 up at the interval it would not have flattered them against a Wimbledon side who never got out of the starting blocks.

Kidd, using his available resources, played 4-3-3 understandably resting young David Dunn. For he is trying to juggle the youngsters who have had to be used to the club's best advantage as well as their own. It worked a treat with the solid midfield trio, anchored around Dario Marcolin, dominating the first half and the front three were on fire.

Defensively, they did not have too much of a threat to handle, despite John Hartson's obvious superiority in the air, and that gave scope for the likes of Jason McAteer to make his mark on the game.

The Dons did not really know what had hit them as the front line, inspired by the presence of Chris Sutton, showed terrific movement, power and penetration. Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan saved expertly from Jason Wilcox and Sutton in the first two minutes! Ashley Ward missed a sitter from Wilcox's cross but it all came right in the eighth minute for the striker, who put personal problems to one side to battle for the cause.

Sutton fed a good ball to Matt Jansen on the left, he slipped his marker and crossed low to the edge of the six-yard box where Ward charged in to steer in the first. Ten minutes later, Marcolin played a delightful ball through to Sutton whose control was equally good. He lifted the ball over the advancing keeper, Jansen challenged at far post, got a touch and it bobbled over the line via the legs of two bungling Dons defenders.

In the 25th minute, Ewood was in ecstacy as Sutton, causing problems by dropping deep, played Ward through the middle. He shrugged off a defender, smashed in a shot that rebounded off Sullivan and Jansen volleyed home sweetly from penalty-spot range.

Rovers could have had more, while Wimbledon's attacking contribution to the first half was pathetic.

It was, of course, too good to last.

The visitors made two substitutions, including the removal of the hapless Hartson, Rovers were anxious not to give anything away and the game slipped into mediocrity. It was crying out for Rovers to get the ball down and pass it well again but no damage was done until the 66th minute when a deep left-wing cross from Michael Hughes seemed to catch everyone ball-watching except Jason Euell, who nipped past static defenders to steer the ball home.

Sutton, close earlier after good work by Ward, had a header saved and Efan Ekoku and Hughes put in good efforts for Wimbledon.

But, despite some anxiety, there was never really much danger of an outrageous comeback.

Home wins could tip the balance in the battle to beat the drop. Let's hope 'Uncle Jack' keeps smiling.

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