Blackburn Rovers secured a narrow 1-0 home victory over local rivals Preston North End in the English Football League Championship on February 21, 2026. The match at Ewood Park was decided by a solitary second-half goal, giving Rovers a precious three points in their quest for a playoff place. The first half was a cagey, tense affair typical of a Lancashire derby, with both teams cautious of making a mistake. The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Blackburn's striker rose highest to power home a header from a pinpoint cross. Preston responded with increased pressure and thought they had equalized, but their goal was chalked off for a foul on the goalkeeper following a VAR intervention. Blackburn's defense held firm under a late onslaught to secure a clean sheet and a vital win. The result lifted Blackburn's position in the congested Championship table, while dealing a blow to Preston's own top-six aspirations.