BLACKBURN ROVERS manager Mark Hughes lauded match-winner David Bentley for his stunning strike that helped take all the points from Reading.

The England under-21 international produced a moment of magic to lose his marker before sprinting 30 yards and then smashing a shot home from the edge of the box.

It's not the first wonder strike the former Arsenal man has produced this season.

His fabulous volley in the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup against Red Bull Salzburg was a strike to behold.

And Hughes led the tributes to his midfield star.

He said: "David's got great ability. He's done that on numerous occasions and not only this year, but last year as well.

"He has that capacity to score goals of that quality and it's another one he can be very proud of."

Bentley's late strike capped a superb second half performance and a great comeback as Rovers stared down the jaws of defeat.

And Hughes added: "It's a really important result for us.

"We needed to win and now we're in a situation where we're hurting at the moment with the injuries, and with the quality of players we have out.

"The response that I got, not only today but last week as well against Newcastle when we went to ten men, was very good.

"Obviously, we won in midweek and then to come to Reading, when they had a free week, and still produce a performance that we did in the second half with bags of energy and power, I thought was very commendable."

Reading boss Steve Coppell was philosophical about the defeat.

He said: "When we had the ascendancy, if we'd have got another goal it might have been a different story.

"But credit to Blackburn, they were stronger and better than us in the second half.

"Realistically, I don't think we can complain too much given the fact that they had European football in midweek.

"So it's an opportunity wasted as far as we're concerned."