ROQUE Santa Cruz celebrated being named Blackburn Rovers' player of the year by scoring twice to sink relegated Derby County.

The prolific Paraguayan took his personal tally for the season to 23 goals when he struck in the 45th and 77th minutes, as Rovers secured a victory that keeps their hopes of qualifying for Europe firmly alive.

Derby had taken a shock first half lead courtesy of former Celtic hitman Kenny Miller.

However, a double from Santa Cruz, either side of a Jason Roberts strike, ensured Rovers wrapped up their home campaign on a winning note.

The Rams broke the deadlock in the 19th minute following a costly defensive error.

Roy Carroll's long punt down field should have been dealt with comfortably by Steven Reid and Stephen Warnock but both players stopped, thinking Miller was offside, and the Scotland international raced through unchallenged to slot a cool finish beyond Brad Friedel.

After that, it was all Rovers as Brett Emerton, Ryan Nelsen, David Bentley and Chris Samba all had chances.

Finally, that pressure told in the 45th minute, when Morten Gamst Pedersen fired in a shot that Carroll could only parry and Santa Cruz swooped to mgobble up the rebound.

In the second half Rovers found another gear, and once Roberts made it 2-1 there was only ever going to be one outcome.

An error from Andy Todd left Roberts one-on-one with Carroll and the former Wigan man made no mistake from 10 yards out.

Rovers could have scored a hatful after that but Roberts was denied three times by Carroll, and Nelsen went close with a volley.

However, a third goal did arrive in the 77th minute, Bentley crossing to the far post where Santa Cruz arrived to score with a diving header.

Rovers: Friedel, Reid, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Emerton, Vogel, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts. Subs: Tugay (for Vogel, 61), Derbyshire (forRoberts, 79), Olsson (for Roberts 80) Not used: Ooijer, Brown Derby: Carroll, Mears, Todd, Moore, McEveley, Addison, Savage, Ghaly, Lewis, Miller, Earnshaw. Subs: Villa (for Lewis, 72), Sterjovski (for Ghaly, 66) Not used: Feilhaber, Beardsley, Price