An outrageously deflected shot from Vratislav Gresko was enough to give Blackburn victory over luckless Tottenham at Ewood Park.

A tense match was hanging in the balance when Gresko tried his luck from 30 yards and saw the ball spin wickedly off Stephen Carr and into Kasey Keller's net.

It was the first clean sheet of the season for Rovers, and battling Spurs will feel they deserved a point.

But Helder Postiga squandered the visitors' best chance, volleying over from six yards early in the second half.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness gave 19-year-old striker Paul Gallagher a first Premiership start, and the teenager's energy was the bright spot of an uneventful opening period.

There was little finesse from either side.

Blackburn's Dwight Yorke forced the first save, although his header barely troubled the well-placed Keller.

Brett Emerton was lively for Blackburn, but the conditions were not helping either side and both managers would have been frustrated by the lack of quality passing on show.

Gallagher created a half-chance on 34 minutes - but Keller was out quickly to smother the threat, while Spurs best chance before the break came from a Rovers error.

Andy Todd made a hash of a clearance on 42 minutes, but the home side were able to retrieve possession.

The second half began in lively fashion, with Souness being ordered from the touchline early on after angering referee Graham Poll.

Spurs created a great early chance, Postiga volleying over from six yards on 49 minutes.

At the other end, Dean Richards blocked a Steven Reid shot, while a long-range effort from Paul Konchesky flew wide.

And Blackburn came within inches of taking the lead on 60 minutes when, of all people, Postiga managed to get back to block a close-range Yorke shot.

It was to prove the last action for the Portuguese striker, who was replaced shortly afterwards by Bobby Zamora.

Spurs then missed a golden opportunity when Carr played in Keane, only for the Irishman to blaze a left-foot shot wildly over.

Keller injured himself after colliding with the post as he saved magnificently from a Yorke header on 72 minutes.

The American was able to continue after treatment and, two minutes later, was in action again to save from Barry Ferguson.

But Keller could do nothing on 78 minutes as Gresko enjoyed a great slice of luck, firing in a shot from 30 yards and seeing the ball spin wickedly off Carr before curling inside the goalkeeper's post.