Blackburn Rovers have responded from going a goal down to Brighton & Hove Albion to lead it 2-1 at the halfway stage of their Championship clash.

Brighton missed the first chance of the match in the eighth minute when Stephen Ward picked out Keith Andrews in space, but the former Blackburn midfielder could only fire an effort over the crossbar.

The visitors didn't have to wait much longer for the opening goal as they took the lead in the 17th minute through David Rodriguez, who collected a pass from Jesse Lingard before beating Paul Robinson with a powerful strike from a tight angle.

Blackburn hit back just after the midway point in the first half thanks to Jordan Rhodes as the Scottish forward found space to covert Tom Cairney's free kick from close range.

Rhodes could have doubled his tally before the break, but he missed the opportunity to put his side ahead when heading a Craig Conway cross wide.

Tommy Spurr's delivery offered Rovers the chance to earn the lead in the 42nd minute, and Cairney took full advantage by finishing confidently from a difficult angle.