Redfearn stays focused on the job as Leeds United well beaten by Blackburn

NEIL Redfearn vowed to put all thoughts about his own future aside until after tomorrow's Championship game at Wolves at the earliest.

The home fans showed their support for the Leeds boss in the wake of assistant Steve Thompson being suspended this week as United were well beaten by Blackburn in a feisty encounter at Elland Road.

Leeds midfielder Rudi Austin was shown a straight red card in the 39th minute and Rovers made their numerical advantage count through second half strikes from Tom Cairney, Jordan Rhodes and Jay Spearing.

Afterwards Redfearn, who had said he was considering his future earlier in the week after Thompson's mysterious suspension, said: "The most important thing was for me to concentrate on this game and then Monday's for the sake of the players and supporters.

"The fans were brilliant today, as they have been all season. They appreciate what we have achieved."

It was an often ill-tempered affair with five yellow cards to go along with the red that was awarded to Austin after he raised an arm in a tangle with former Stoke and Leicester winger Ben Marshall.

But Redfearn was not happy about the red card, which was awarded by referee Gary Sutton after consulting his assistant.

"The red card changed the game," he said. "I didn't see it at the time but I have watched it back several times. We should appeal because it was a poor decision.

"Rudi pushed the lad in the chest with his forearm and the referee deemed it a red card. It was a big call on a linesman's say-so and it was wrong."

Rovers had struggled to make their numerical advantage count as Leeds employed tight marking, with strikers Rhodes and Gestede starved of clear-cut opportunities, but two goals in a seven-minute spell turned the game Rovers' way.

The breakthrough arrived in the 62nd minute. Lee Williamson's long pass down the right found Gestede who gave Giuseppe Bellusci the slip before Cairney shot powerfully past Silvestri.

Gestede limped off to be replaced by Chris Brown in the 64th minute and a minute later Marshall's long-distance shot smacked against a post.

Leeds were rocking and they conceded again in the 69th minute. Cairney picked out Brown, whose accurate cross left the unmarked Rhodes the simple task of heading home for his 17th goal of the season.

Then, in the 80th minute, Bellusci allowed Spearing time and room to drill in the third.

Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer said: "I thought we were excellent – very organised.

"We handled the occasion well after what had gone on at Leeds during the days building up to the game. We knew the crowd would get behind them and they gave Neil Redfearn tremendous support, but we were ruthless, which was pleasing."

The comprehensive victory also gives Blackburn a perfect boost heading into their FA Cup quarter-final replay against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Bowyer said they had picked up no fresh injury concerns going into that match, despite former Cardiff striker Gestede hobbling off in the 64th minute.

"One or two came off with tightness but that's all. Fair play to this group. They just get on with it," he added.

"This result has given us a massive boost before Wednesday. It is a massive challenge but we are all looking forward to it. We were leggy leading up to the international break but you saw the freshness in our play today."