Report: Rovers 0-3 AFC Bournemouth

Rovers' play-off hopes came to an end on home turf as AFC Bournemouth walked away with the three points on a disappointing final home game of the campaign at Ewood Park.

After an even first half, Tony Mowbray's hosts went into the break a goal down as Dominic Solanke showed his clinical edge in front of goal with a composed finish.

Rovers had opportunities to level during the contest, with Ben Brereton Diaz hitting the post and then forcing Mark Travers into a smart stop early into the second half.

However, with Rovers pushing for the goals needed to keep the play-off chase alive, a quickfire double from Philip Billing killed off any hopes with two excellent strikes 

The boss opted to name the same side that started the 4-1 win at Preston North End earlier in the week and that meant there were a couple of milestones for starters as Harry Pickering appeared for the 200th time in his career whilst and John Buckley was in to start for the 50th time in Rovers colours.

After an even first part of the first half, it was the visitors who grabbed the advantage just after the 20-minute mark through Solanke's 30th goal of the campaign.

A high ball forward was flicked into the striker's path by Billing, and the former Chelsea forward took a touch before sliding the ball past the onrushing Thomas Kaminski and into the back of the net.

Rovers went in search of a response and only the fingertips of Travers stopped Sam Gallagher from heading home an equaliser after he got on the end of Darragh Lenihan's inviting cross from the right.

A moment later and Ben Brereton Diaz sneaked in behind the Cherries backline, latched onto the end of a superb Lenihan pass and sent an effort towards goal that clipped the outside of Travers' left-hand post.

The visitors came again and Solanke saw his deflected attempt fly into the grateful gloves of Kaminski before a Jaidon Anthony curler rattled the top of the crossbar as the clock hit the 30-minute mark.

Ultimately, Solanke's goal proved to be the difference as Scott Parker's charges went into the interval with a slender advantage.

Rovers went in search of changing that and a weaving run saw Brereton Diaz slalom away from a couple of men before forcing Travers into a reaction stop at his near post just three minutes into the second half.

Bournemouth went probing for a second goal of the afternoon and only a goalline clearance from Harry Pickering stopped Jefferson Lerma from doubling the Dorset side's advantage after Jordan Zemura saw an effort initially saved by Kaminski.

Another fine Brereton Diaz run saw him get in behind Adam Smith on the hour, only to see Travers in his way once again to deny the Chile international a first goal at Ewood Park in 2022.

Parker's promotion-chasers came again and Solanke should have doubled his and Bournemouth's tally soon after, only to see Kaminski beat away his strike after he wriggled away from Scott Wharton and newly-crowned Player of the Year Jan Paul van Hecke before going one-on-one with the Rovers number one.

However, just a moment later and the visitors secured their second through Billing, who ruthlessly thumped home first time after substitute Siriki Dembele found the Dane lurking in the box.

Better was to come for Billing and his side, with the midfielder lashing home to complete his brace and hammer home the visitors' third with 12 minutes left after getting on the end of Dembele's prod through and make sure the points were bagged for their return trip south.

Attendance: 21,396.