Morten Gamst Pedersen provided the perfect response to his critics after his late strike gave a lacklustre Blackburn victory against Leicester.

Pedersen, 30, had been labelled a "pensioner" by Rovers' global advisor Shebby Singh, and he responded by celebrating with a walking stick.

Earlier, Nuno Gomes's first goal in English football was cancelled out by Leicester striker Jamie Vardy.

The result saw Blackburn move into third place in the Championship table.

The visitors had started the brighter, and were denied an early lead when former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson produced a stunning save to keep out David Nugent's header.

But, against the run of play, Portuguese veteran Gomes dispatched a Jason Lowe cross into the bottom corner of the goal just after the half hour mark.

Leicester responded to falling behind, and Nugent was denied an equaliser either side of the half-time whistle before Vardy - who scored 34 goals for Fleetwood last season - found the back of the net after nipping in front of a hesitant Scott Dann to finish from 12 yards.

An assistant's flag then ruled out a superb Vardy header as Leicester pushed for a first away win of the season.

But it was Pedersen who was to prove the difference with his right-footed finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Blackburn boss Steve Kean on Pedersen's goal celebration: "It is a little bit tongue in cheek and dressing room banter.

"I don't know where he got that from or if he pre-planned it with our kitman but it should be taken the way it's meant to be.

"I felt at certain times when you have the quality we have in the side, if you have a Gomes or Pedersen with the technical ability they have, they can produce something special."

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson: "The officials have to make themselves accountable for the decisions they make. They got key decisions wrong.

"Their first goal where they have a man clearly standing in front of Schmeichel. They're either both onside or offside. Vardy is clearly onside.

"Unfortunately they try and clarify things each year but I'm not sure there is clarity in regard to that.

"I think all in all our performances have been very positive and we were certainly worth a win today."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5)

Blackburn Rovers

  • 01 Robinson
  • 05 Givet
  • 16 Dann
  • 32 Ribeiro
  • 06 Lowe
  • 12 Pedersen
  • 13 Murphy Booked
  • 14 Ms Olsson
  • 18 Etuhu
  • 19 Edinho Junior (Goodwillie - 46' )
  • 21 Nuno Gomes (Rochina - 77' )

Substitutes

  • 34 Kean
  • 31 G Hanley
  • 10 Formica
  • 17 Jorge
  • 07 Nunes
  • 23 Rochina
  • 25 Goodwillie

Leicester City

  • 01 Schmeichel
  • 02 De Laet Booked
  • 03 Konchesky
  • 05 Morgan
  • 22 Moore
  • 04 Drinkwater (Danns - 76' )
  • 07 Marshall (Beckford - 89' )
  • 10 King
  • 11 Dyer (Knockaert - 68' )
  • 09 Vardy
  • 35 Nugent

Substitutes

  • 13 Logan
  • 08 Danns
  • 16 James
  • 24 Knockaert
  • 14 Waghorn
  • 18 Schlupp
  • 20 Beckford
Ref: Robert Madley
Att: 13,935

Match Stats

Shots

8 12

On target

4 7

Corners

3 12

Fouls

6 15

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:53 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +1:00

Anthony Knockaert takes the inswinging corner, Jamie Vardy produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.

88:46 Substitution

Substitution Jermaine Beckford joins the action as a substitute, replacing Ben Marshall.

88:14

Ruben Rochina takes a shot. Wes Morgan gets a block in.

86:54

Liam Moore takes a shot.

86:22

Ben Marshall takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Danny Murphy makes a clearance.

75:41 Substitution

Substitution Ruben Rochina is brought on as a substitute for Miguel Nuno Gomes.

75:41 Substitution

Substitution Neil Danns is brought on as a substitute for Danny Drinkwater.

82:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Wes Morgan on Gael Givet. Paul Robinson restarts play with the free kick.

80:44

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Dickson Etuhu by Neil Danns. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

78:44 Goal scored

Goal - Morten Gamst Pedersen - Blackburn 2 - 1 Leicester A goal is scored by Morten Gamst Pedersen from just inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Blackburn 2-1 Leicester.

78:21

Unfair challenge on Ruben Rochina by Neil Danns results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Dickson Etuhu.

76:50

Ben Marshall has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the right of the target.

75:41 Substitution

Substitution Bruno Ribeiro goes off and Ruben Rochina comes on.

75:41 Substitution

Substitution Neil Danns replaces Danny Drinkwater.

75:18

Corner taken by Ben Marshall.

74:52

Andy King takes a shot. Gael Givet gets a block in.

73:38

The referee blows for offside against Jamie Vardy. Paul Robinson takes the free kick.

71:39

Ben Marshall concedes a free kick for a foul on Bruno Ribeiro. Danny Murphy takes the free kick.

70:47

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Morten Gamst Pedersen, Gael Givet produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand post.

70:30

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Morten Gamst Pedersen from the left by-line.

69:52

Markus Olsson takes a shot. Wes Morgan gets a block in.

67:55 Substitution

Substitution Lloyd Dyer leaves the field to be replaced by Anthony Knockaert.

65:32

Corner from right by-line taken by Ben Marshall.

64:03

Jamie Vardy fouled by Danny Murphy, the ref awards a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Ben Marshall from the free kick.

62:18

Shot on goal by Bruno Ribeiro from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

61:17

The referee blows for offside. Direct free kick taken by Paul Robinson.

58:37

David Goodwillie is caught offside. Kasper Schmeichel takes the direct free kick.

54:59 Goal scored

Goal - Jamie Vardy - Blackburn 1 - 1 Leicester Jamie Vardy grabs a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Blackburn 1-1 Leicester.

52:54

Morten Gamst Pedersen takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

51:08

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Ben Marshall, Wes Morgan takes a shot. Jason Lowe gets a block in.

50:29

Corner taken by Ben Marshall, Danny Murphy manages to make a clearance.

49:38 Booking

Booking Danny Murphy is shown a yellow card.

49:30

Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Murphy on Jamie Vardy. Liam Moore takes the direct free kick.

48:57

Bruno Ribeiro fouled by Paul Konchesky, the ref awards a free kick. Scott Dann takes the free kick.

47:23 Booking

Booking Ritchie De Laet goes into the referee's book.

47:15

Morten Gamst Pedersen fouled by Ritchie De Laet, the ref awards a free kick. Danny Murphy takes the direct free kick.

45:08

Foul by Ritchie De Laet on Morten Gamst Pedersen, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Morten Gamst Pedersen.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution David Goodwillie replaces Edinho Junior.

45:00 +1:11 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

45:00 +0:48

Corner taken by Ben Marshall, Gael Givet manages to make a clearance.

45:00 +0:11

Ben Marshall takes the outswinging corner, Gael Givet makes a clearance.

42:31

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Vardy on Danny Murphy. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

42:04

David Nugent takes a shot. Save by Paul Robinson.

41:13

Wes Morgan challenges Markus Olsson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.

40:05

Foul by Miguel Nuno Gomes on Wes Morgan, free kick awarded. Kasper Schmeichel restarts play with the free kick.

38:14

The assistant referee flags for offside against David Nugent. Scott Dann restarts play with the free kick.

36:04

Ben Marshall takes a inswinging corner.

35:21

Morten Gamst Pedersen gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ben Marshall. Ben Marshall takes the free kick.

32:47

Jason Lowe provided the assist for the goal.

32:47 Goal scored

Goal - Miguel Nuno Gomes - Blackburn 1 - 0 Leicester Miguel Nuno Gomes fires in a goal from just outside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Blackburn 1-0 Leicester.

31:55

Wes Morgan challenges Edinho Junior unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Danny Murphy.

30:59

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Ben Marshall.

30:33

Andy King takes a shot. Scott Dann gets a block in.

27:46

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ben Marshall on Morten Gamst Pedersen. Dickson Etuhu takes the free kick.

26:17

Free kick awarded for a foul by Liam Moore on Edinho Junior. Morten Gamst Pedersen takes the direct free kick.

23:15

Corner taken by Ben Marshall from the left by-line, clearance made by Gael Givet.

21:09

Jamie Vardy is ruled offside. Paul Robinson takes the free kick.

19:32

Markus Olsson fouled by David Nugent, the ref awards a free kick. Danny Murphy takes the free kick.

17:07

Effort on goal by Markus Olsson from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

16:24

Morten Gamst Pedersen takes the inswinging corner, Liam Moore manages to make a clearance.

15:34

Unfair challenge on Morten Gamst Pedersen by Danny Drinkwater results in a free kick. Morten Gamst Pedersen takes the free kick.

15:05

Effort on goal by Jamie Vardy from 20 yards. Gael Givet gets a block in.

11:42

Bruno Ribeiro challenges Lloyd Dyer unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ben Marshall.

11:09

David Nugent takes a shot. Save by Paul Robinson.

3:48

David Nugent challenges Gael Givet unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Paul Robinson.

3:15

Liam Moore takes a shot. Morten Gamst Pedersen gets a block in.

2:40

Outswinging corner taken by Ben Marshall.

0:22

Unfair challenge on Paul Konchesky by Jason Lowe results in a free kick. Danny Drinkwater restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.

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