Lewis Koumas scored four minutes into his Hull debut as they moved within five points of the Championship summit after a 1-0 win at struggling Blackburn.

The 20-year-old, signed on loan from Liverpool on Friday, was introduced as a 77th-minute substitute and made an immediate impression, clinically slotting home the winner with nine minutes remaining.

Rovers appealed in vain for an offside flag that never came but the move that set up Koumas represented the first moment of quality in a game neither side really did enough to win.

However, Sergej Jakirovic's team were resolute in the face of Blackburn's pressure in the second half and are up to third after a fourth successive victory.

It was a punishing afternoon for Blackburn, who were made to pay for failing to convert two second-half headed chances for Yuki Ohashi and Mathias Jorgensen and they are three points from safety.

Regan Slater went close to a 15th-minute opener after stealing possession and let fly from 15 yards with a low drive Balazs Toth saved and Rovers scrambled clear.

Rovers weathered early pressure and almost nudged ahead when space opened up in the 33rd minute for Ryan Alebiosu to...