Delight for Andy Todd

THE MAN who was almost bombed out of Ewood Park in the summer came back to haunt his former boss as Andy Todd scored the equaliser to see Rovers pick up yet another home point.

For the seventh time at Ewood this season it was honours even, and once again it was a contest that where Rovers had to come from behind, this time twice, but in the end Rovers had enough chances to earn all three points in a game that they dominated.

It was the worst of starts for Rovers as Kieron Dyer raced past a static defence to give the visitors the lead, but quick thinking from Rovers captain Barry Ferguson saw Paul Dickov fire Rovers level. But with only their second shot at goal in the first half, Newcastle regained the lead, Laurent Robert lashing in a free kick from some distance.

But under Mark Hughes Rovers aren't afraid to go behind, and they deservedly got back on level terms. Shay Given failed to hold Barry Ferguson's shot and Andy Todd looped the ball into the net.

Before the manager made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Everton last week. Jonathan Stead came in for his first start since injuring an ankle against Manchester City more than a month ago, whilst as expected, Nils-Eric Johansson came in for the hamstrung Craig Short.

But like many times this season, Rovers got off to the worst of starts when the visitors took the lead after just six minutes. The Rovers defence were trying to catch Craig Bellamy offside, but James Milner's centre found Kieron Dyer running through in space and he fired low past Brad Friedel to give Graeme Souness's side the lead.

Rovers' set-pieces have been poor to say the least this season, but a piece of quick thinking by Barry Ferguson on 25 minutes got Rovers back on level terms. Dickov had been fouled by a combination of Hughes and O'Brien. Ferguson's quick thinking saw him play the ball through to his Scottish international collegue, catching the Newcastle defence unawares and Dickov puts the ball under Given and into the back of the net.

The equaliser rejuvenated Rovers, moments later Brett Emerton saw a shot blocked when perhaps a pass to his right to Dickov was a better option. Then a high ball over from the left saw Stead on the edge of the area threatening, but he was held back by Robbie Elliott. The Rovers fans screamed for a red card, but referee Matt Messias only gave the Newcastle defender a yellow. Steven Reid's free kick struck the wall, Stead hit the rebound goalwards but the ball bounced a foot wide of Given's left hand post.

But just as Rovers were looking to take control, they fell behind yet again. Garry Flitcroft was carded for a foul on Dyer, from the resulting free kick, Laurent Robert curled the ball over the wall and inside Friedel's left hand post. The American having no chance. Newcaslte had had two shots on target, both resulting in goals.

Rovers went in search of an equaliser before the half time break, and an exquisite move almost saw them back on level terms. A ball up to Paul Dickov was played back to Ferguson, he spotted the run of Jon Stead and threaded a ball through the black and white shirts onto Stead, he struck the ball first time but the ball flashed a foot wide of Shay Given's goal.

Both sides made changes at the break, David Thompson coming on for the injured Steven Reid, whilst Patrick Kluivert was replaced by Shola Ameobi.

And within twenty seconds of the restart Rovers could have been on level terms. The ball was played up to Dickov, he does excellently in holding up the ball before releasing Brett Emerton running into the area on the left, but his shot was weak and straight at Shay Given.

Two minutes later David Thompson sets up Barry Ferguson who hits the ball first time but Given dives down to his near post to save, the rebound goes right to Thompson, but his well hit centre can't find a blue shirt and Newcastle hack the ball away.

The pressure from the home side eventually paid off when Rovers got back on level terms through the unlikely figure of Andy Todd. Stead was fouled out on the touchline on the right, a quick free kick to Ferguson saw the Rovers captain in space, his well struck shot from distance could only be parried by Given the ball bounced up and Andy Todd got something on the ball and in slow motion the ball rolled into the back of the net to the delight of the home fans.

Rovers continued to take the game to the opposition, but there were a few nervy moments, but the defence held strong with Friedel having very little to do. Shay Given had to deny David Thompson who hit a trademark shot from distance, but the Republic of Ireland international pushed the ball behind.

There was a lengthy delay when referee Matt Massias limped off to be replaced by fourth official Uriah Rennie, so it was perhaps surprising when only three minutes of added time were shown.

Paul Gallagher was thrown on in the final minutes, but Rovers couldn't get the third that their play deserved. Rovers remain in 16th place and can look forward to a short trip to Bolton on Tuesday.

ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Johansson, Matteo, Emerton, Ferguson, Flitcroft, Reid (sub Thompson 46 mins), Stead (sub Gallagher 88 mins), Dickov. Subs: Enckelman, Pedersen, McEveley.

NEWCASTLE: Given, Elliott (sub Bramble 60 mins), O'Brien, Jenas, Dyer, Bellamy, Kluivert (sub Ameobi 46 mins), Milner (sub Bernard 70 mins), Hughes, Taylor, Robert. Subs: Harper, N'Zogbia.

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