The visitors went ahead in the 12th minute when Ryan Taylor's speculative 25-yard effort took a wicked deflection off Scott Dann, but Rovers dominated the rest of the first half, with Danny Simpson clearing off the line and Leon Best heading against his own bar before David Dunn saw his penalty saved by Tim Krul.
The second half was a quieter affair but Anthony Modeste, Dann and Mauro Formica all missed good chances to earn Rovers what would have been a deserved share of the spoils before Gabriel Obertan rubbed salt into the wounds with a late second.
Bolton 0 Arsenal 0
Blackburn 0 Newcastle 2
Sunderland 3 Norwich 0
Aston Villa 2 QPR 2
Fulham 1 West Brom 1
Robin van Persie was twice denied by the woodwork as Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
The Holland international, who also had a header cleared off the line early on, hit both the post and the crossbar in the second half as the Gunners slipped up on their travels again.
Wanderers clung on determinedly, after David Ngog had missed two chances in the first half, to add another point in their bid to avoid relegation.
Deadline day signing Djibril Cisse took just 12 minutes to endear himself to the QPR supporters by striking the opening goal at Aston Villa - but Mark Hughes' men were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Stephen Warnock's bizarre own goal from a Taye Taiwo cross extended Rangers' lead but Villa got back in the game when Darren Bent scored his 100th Premier League goal on the stroke of half-time.
Charles N'Zogbia lashed home a superb 79th minute volley to bring Villa level and the former Wigan winger was instrumental in his side's late pressure which left the visitors clinging on.
Sunderland's revival under Martin O'Neill continued as they cruised past Norwich at the Stadium of Light.
Fraizer Campbell opened the scoring in the 21st minute and a further effort from Stephane Sessegnon and a Daniel Ayala own goal gave the Black Cats a 3-0 victory.
Somen Tchoyi slid home a late equaliser for West Brom to snatch a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The hosts had taken a 69th minute lead through Clint Dempsey's 16th goal of the season.