Adam Armstrong netted from the penalty spot for his 12th league goal of the season
Blackburn continued their free-scoring Championship form with a dominant victory against Preston in the Lancashire derby.
Preston arguably had no way back into the game moments before half-time when left-back Joe Rafferty was sent off for hauling down Sam Gallagher in the penalty area.
Adam Armstrong converted the spot-kick for the opener before Ben Brereton and former Lilywhite Tyrhys Dolan added the second and third in the second half.
Preston have still won just once at home in the Championship this season, losing the other six, while Rovers are now unbeaten in their past four games.
Tony Mowbray's side also top the scoring charts in the division with 25 from 13 games.
- Relive Tuesday's EFL action
The hosts failed to register a shot on target for the whole game while Blackburn dominated possession in the second half.
Even before Armstrong opened the scoring, the Rovers striker twice went close to netting his 12th league goal of the season in 13 appearances.
Declan Rudd made a smart block from his follow-up after an initial Darragh Lenihan strike before Armstrong narrowly fired over from distance.
But as Gallagher burst clear down the Preston right, Rafferty could not keep pace and his foul was immediately punished with a red card from referee Tony Harrington.
Armstrong stepped up to find the bottom left corner and then after the break Brereton slotted home from 12 yards with his left instep after Joe Rothwell burst unhindered into the Preston penalty area.
Brereton then turned provider for the third with a defence-splitting low ball from the right across the six-yard box which found substitute Dolan unmarked at the back post to tap home into the empty net.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsPreston
- 1Rudd2FisherSubstituted forStoreyat 79'minutes5Bauer23Huntington15RaffertyBooked at 44mins8BrowneBooked at 22mins18Ledson29Barkhuizen11JohnsonSubstituted forStockleyat 82'minutes31SinclairSubstituted forPottsat 45'minutes19Riis JakobsenSubstituted forMaguireat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Bayliss14Storey20Stockley24Maguire25Ripley27Holland-Wilkinson32O'Reilly34Coulton44Potts
Blackburn
- 1Kaminski2Nyambe26Lenihan28Wharton15Douglas10HoltbySubstituted forDowningat 68'minutes19TrybullBooked at 36minsSubstituted forDavenportat 60'minutes8RothwellSubstituted forElliottat 61'minutesSubstituted forBuckleyat 81'minutes9Gallagher7ArmstrongSubstituted forDolanat 68'minutes20Brereton
Substitutes
- 6Downing11Chapman13Pears16Elliott17Bell18Davenport21Buckley25Carter39Dolan
Referee:Tony HarringtonMatch StatsHome TeamPrestonAway TeamBlackburnPossessionHome25%Away75%ShotsHome4Away17Shots on TargetHome0Away4CornersHome0Away4FoulsHome12Away9Live TextPost update
Match ends, Preston North End 0, Blackburn Rovers 3.
90'+5'Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 0, Blackburn Rovers 3.
90'+4'Post update
Attempt missed. Alan Browne (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
90'+4'Post update
Foul by Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).
90'+4'Post update
Jayden Stockley (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Jacob Davenport (Blackburn Rovers).
90'+2'Post update
Sean Maguire (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+1'Post update
Offside, Preston North End. Brad Potts tries a through ball, but Sean Maguire is caught offside.
89'Post update
Offside, Blackburn Rovers. John Buckley tries a through ball, but Barry Douglas is caught offside.
87'Post update
Attempt missed. Jacob Davenport (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ben Brereton.
86'Post update
Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Ryan Ledson.
86'Post update
Attempt blocked. John Buckley (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jacob Davenport.
82'Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Jayden Stockley replaces Daniel Johnson.
81'Substitution
Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. John Buckley replaces Harvey Elliott because of an injury.
80'Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Sean Maguire replaces Emil Riis Jakobsen.
79'Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Jordan Storey replaces Darnell Fisher.
78'Post update
Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
78'Post update
Foul by Brad Potts (Preston North End).
76'goalGoal!
Goal! Preston North End 0, Blackburn Rovers 3. Tyrhys Dolan (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Ben Brereton.
74'Post update
Barry Douglas (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Source: bbc.com