Blackburn Rovers edged out a toothless Sunderland side to secure a third straight win and maintain their outside chances of muscling into the Championship play-off places with two games remaining.

Tryhys Dolan's first-half strike, the visitors' only effort on target, gave them all three points at the Stadium of Light.

The result means Valerian Ismael's side are ninth in the table and four points off Coventry City in sixth position.

The Black Cats are already assured of a top-six finish but are now winless in their past four games.

Sunderland, who made seven changes after Friday's loss at Bristol City, created plenty of opportunities but failed to make them pay.

Wilson Isidor went close early on, firing goalwards after being fed in the area by Harrison Jones. His shot was straight at Balazs Toth, but the Blackburn goalkeeper struggled to hold it.

Their dominance continued, even if clear chances did not follow. Isidor again went close, this time with a clever volley from a tight angle on the half-hour mark.

But Blackburn punished them just moments later; after being picked out by Cauley Woodrow, Dolan found space before lashing a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.

Tom Watson and Jones were busy in midfield for the home side as they immediately regained control, but they struggled to find the required cutting edge before the break. Rovers' defensive rear-guard was steadfast, if rarely tested.

The pattern of the game picked up where it left off in the second half, frustratingly so for Sunderland.

Black Cats midfielder Tom Watson whipped a wonderful cross on 55 minutes and Isidor snatched at a shot soon after, firing wide of the target.

Regis le Bris made a number of substitutions, bringing on Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda and Enzo le Fee, but it made little difference, while Jobe Bellingham tested Toth but it was the same story for Sunderland in front of goal.

For Blackburn, there is hope of an extended season after a valuable away performance, but Sunderland will need to arrest this slide once the play-offs begin.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle:

"The energy was largely positive, the way we played. Disappointing result, positive performance.

"The opponent had a specific plan; only two shots and one goal. They were efficient and it wasn't the case for us.

"It is now a question of mindset, energy, ambition and desire.

"Even with seven changes, the team was fluid. But it is more in the head than tactics.

"We weren't smooth in the final third. This part of the pitch is the most difficult to get right."

Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"It was two games in one game. The first half we competed well and scored and played some good football.

"In the second half, with the tiredness, we were more solid.

"We defended well. We needed more transition in the second half to get more relief, but we controlled everything. It was a forceful performance from the boys; great attitude, great mentality.

"We had consistency with a strong performance. We need to focus again for Saturday in the last home game. We want to finish strong."