Joe Rankin-Costello scored two first-half goals to take Blackburn Rovers into the knockout stages with a 2-1 win over Cardiff City at Leyland County Ground.
The midfielder produced two neat finishes before Rhys Abbruzzese pulled one back with the last kick of the match.
The result left Rovers top of Group B with 10 points, two ahead of Sunderland who also qualified because of Cardiff's defeat. The Bluebirds finish bottom of the group on five points, two behind Burnley who also failed to progress.
See: Premier League Cup tables
PL Cup report: Rovers 2 Cardiff City 1https://t.co/lKsIpL5KtS
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 27, 2017
Blackburn and Sunderland meet in the final group match at Leyland County Ground on Thursday to decide who finishes top. Rovers' next Premier League 2 fixture is at home to Fulham at the same venue next Monday evening.
See: Blackburn report
(Photo courtesy of Rovers.co.uk)
