A stoppage time own goal boosted Blackburn Rovers' hopes of qualifying for the Premier League International Cup knock-out rounds as they beat OGC Nice 2-1.

Mike Sheron's side came flying out of the traps, knowing they needed a positive result after losing to Hertha Berlin on matchday one. They got an early lead when James Edmondson won possession high up the field and found Harrison Wood, who found the bottom corner from inside the box.

Rovers dominated the opening 25 minutes but failed to build on their lead. Nice then came into the game and had big chances to level.

16-year-old goalkeeper Nicolas Machalski caught the eye with a string of impressive saves, most notably keeping out Kail Boudache, who should've scored from 12 yards out. Ryad Talbi hit the post with a back-post header shortly after but Rovers held out until the break.

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The second half was a tighter affair, with neither side creating many chances of note. Heading into the final 10 minutes, Rovers had restricted their opposition but were hit by a late sucker-punch.

The otherwise excellent Michalski gifted possession to Reda Belahyane and he had the simple task of slotting in to make it 1-1. A cruel blow for Sheron's side, who will have felt they'd done enough for three points.

However, those blushes were spared in stoppage time when Wood's cross was deflected into his own goal by goal-scorer Belahyane. That gave Rovers the three points in dramatic circumstances.

Rovers came into the match knowing they needed a positive result to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the next round. Having lost their first group game against Hertha Berlin 2-0, a fast start was imperative.

They got that, making all the early running at Ewood Park. They pressed high and dominated possession. Leo Duru almost gave them an early lead as his deflected shot came off the post.

Without a recognised striker in the squad, Rovers started in a 4-3-3 with midfield James Edmondson down the middle, flanked by Duru and Wood. In-possession, it was a mirror of the first team with Jake Batty moving into midfield to form a 3-2-5 shape.

Both central midfielders, the eights, bombed on to join the attacking line and they pressed from the front. That proactive attitude got them ahead as Edmondson won possession back in the Nice third and put Wood, who had oceans of space, clean through and he showed composure to finish into the bottom corner.

Having dominated the early stages and getting their noses ahead, you'd have been forgiven for thinking Rovers were in for a comfy night. However, the visitors rallied and really should've been level at half time.

Daouda Traore fired a warning sign with a rasping effort from range before 16-year-old goalkeeper Michalski was called upon. He'd already made one fairly routine stop from a tight angle before he denied Boudache from inside the box, who should have scored.

That wasn't the last of their chances either, with Talbi hitting the post with a header at the back post. Having started the game so brightly, Mike Sheron's side were fortunate to lead at half-time on the balance of chances created.

Talbi again went close after the restart as he met Tom Louchet's cross but could only divert the ball onto the outside of the post. That was a bright moment in an otherwise cagey second half.

Boudache warmed the gloves of Michalski from the edge of the box whilst Rovers posed a threat on the counterattack. Heading into the final 10 minutes, neither side had really mustered much of note in the second half.

That made Nice's equaliser all the more frustrating. Having been excellent for most of the night, an unfortunate error from Michalski allowed Belahyane to finish for 1-1.

However, the goal-scorer would then have his head in his hands in stoppage time as he accidentally diverted Woods' cross into the bottom corner. A late winner for Rovers and three points to open their account in the competition.

Blackburn Rovers (4-3-3): Michalski (8); Olson (6), Gamble (7), Atcheson (7), Batty (8) (Powell, 63', 6); Weston (7), O'Grady-Mackem (7) (Stritch, 78'), Haddow (6) (Montgomery, 45', 6); Duru (7) (Litherland, 78'), Wood (7), Edmondson (7) (Boggan, 83').

Unused substitutes: Khan, Doherty.

Referee: Elliot Bell