Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce put his side`s dismal first-half display against Portsmouth down to nerves.

Rovers went into the game knowing they had the chance to claw their way out of the bottom three at the expense of their opponents.

And an improved second-half performance ensured they managed that feat.

Allardyce said: "The players seemed to let the nerves get to them a little bit but they overcame their nerves and got a good result, so full marks to them in the end.

"We showed our quality at set-pieces and with the third goal. We like to do it the hard way. It was a sloppy goal we conceded but we've recovered from it well."