Southampton's promotion hopes were massively boosted as they beat Blackburn Rovers to make it six consecutive Championship wins - on a night their south-coast rivals Portsmouth did them a favour.

Cyle Larin's opener and a goal credited to Ryan Manning put the FA Cup semi-finalists in control before the interval, and Cameron Archer added their late third.

The victory did not merely cement their position in the play-off places, because Pompey's shock win against second-placed Ipswich Town means the Saints are still very much in the running for automatic promotion.

Tonda Eckert's team are fourth in the table, just three points behind Ipswich, who they will play in their penultimate match of the regular season. The Suffolk side do, though, have a game in hand.

Relegation-threatened Blackburn are four points above the drop zone, so have some breathing space, largely because of a five-match unbeaten run prior to their visit to St Mary's.

They have improved since Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill was installed as boss at Ewood Park two months ago.

But they have been beset by injuries and O'Neill had to make some tough selection decisions for the second of three vital games in the space of six days - Rovers are at home to leaders Coventry on Friday.

O'Neill therefore made five changes, giving a full debut to recent signing Nathan Redmond against the experienced midfielder's former club. For Redmond, who was substituted at half-time, it was a first league start since an appearance for Turkish club Besiktas almost three years ago.

Rovers were on the back foot from the start and were undone by a lovely Saints move midway through the first half.

Kuryu Matsuki played a clever pass in behind Rovers wing-back Ryan Alebiosu to Archer, who sent a low ball in from the left for Larin to finish from close range - the Canada forward's fifth league goal since arriving on loan from RCD Mallorca in February.

The hosts doubled their lead with a fortuitous goal a couple of minutes before half-time, punishing an error by Kristi Montgomery after he had lost possession.

Shea Charles darted in from the left and played the ball into the six-yard box - and it ended up in the net after Sean McLoughlin's attempted clearance bounced off Manning and then Rovers' Yuri Ribeiro.

Blackburn were much more competitive in the second half and went close to pulling a goal back when Ryoya Morishita fired the loose ball against the crossbar after Yuki Ohashi's shot had been parried by keeper Daniel Peretz.

At the other end, Matsuki missed a sitter when he blasted over after being unselfishly teed up by Larin.

But the excellent Archer made no mistake when similarly set up by Leo Scienza, calmly steering the ball into the far corner of the net.

Southampton, relegated last season and 21st when Will Still was sacked as manager in November, are now unbeaten in 18 league and cup matches.

It has been a remarkable turnaround in a season that will include at least one trip to Wembley and could end in a return to the Premier League.

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent:

"We did them (Portsmouth) a favour as well. It's a strong south coast today.

"It sounds boring because I keep repeating myself, but we need to keep our heads down and keep working. It's the only way.

"This squad is in a moment and a place where you can put on whoever you want to put on and they're ready and well able to perform. That's a big plus for us at this part of the season.

"That's all it comes down to at this stage of the season. When you step on the grass you need to be ready to perform."

Blackburn boss Michael O'Neill told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"Listen, the game's gone - we just move on to Friday.

"We're getting through the games and the squad is very challenged in terms of numbers, with a lot of players who aren't with us at this minute in time.

"We could do with them being back for us. But the players we are putting out there are doing everything. Their attitude is first class, their commitment is first class, and that's all we can ask.

"We met a very good side in the best form. We knew it would be a tough game and it proved to be the case.

"In the second half we played well but the second goal just before half-time was a real killer."