Blackburn Rovers had to settle for a point as missed chances proved to be costly in a goalless encounter against Everton at Ewood Park.

Whilst a point against a strong Everton side going well in the league may be something of a boost, results elsewhere weren't in Rovers' favour and they find themselves back in the bottom three.

The home side had the better of the opening half, although Jo's speculative effort just 14 seconds in had Jason Brown, in for the injured Paul Robinson, in the Rovers goal scrambling across his area as it deflected wide

Rovers looked for the opener but more often than not found their route to goal denied by an Everton body. Warnock, Diouf and Andrews all seeing efforts blocked.

It was Everton who had the only clear sight of goal in the first half, but Steven Pienaar's goalbound shot was brilliantly kept out by Brown.

Roque Santa Cruz drove wide as Rovers started the second period strongly, but Jason Roberts had the chance of the game when one on one with Tim Howard, but the American made an important save with his legs.

Stephen Warnock hit the bar with a free-kick that Howard struggled to deal with whilst sub Aaron Mokoena glanced a header narrowly wide.

All of Rovers' hard work was almost undone at the death when from a corner, Tim Cahill's flick arrived at the feet of Joleon Lescott, but hooked the ball narrowly over the bar.

Sam Allardyce made just the two changes from the side that defeated Hull City 2-1 on Sunday and both of them were enforced.

With Paul Robinson failing to shake off the shoulder injury that forced his withdrawal at half-time during the victory at the KC Stadium, it meant a first start in the league in goal since October for Jason Brown.

The other change of personnel saw the suspended Morten Gamst Pedersen miss out, Jason Roberts getting the nod to step up from the bench.

Jason Brown may have been surprised that he was called upon so soon into this game, just 14 seconds in and a long ball forward saw Jo get the better of Chris Samba at the second attempt, the Brazilian lashed the ball goalwards, the ball just deflecting wide of Brown's left post.

Rovers pressed themselves early doors, persistence from Keith Andrews saw Jason Roberts play the ball back into the path of Stephen Warnock, he let fly with a low effort that cannoned off a defender, the ball span into El-Hadji Diouf's path, but his strike at goal was blocked by Jagielka.

The home side continued to force the pace but without ever really creating that clear cut chance. Jason Roberts and Roque Santa Cruz combined well down the left flank, the Paraguayan sending the ball over for Keith Andrews on the edge of the box, but as he shot towards goal Jack Rodwell made the all important block.

It was a lively game, neither side giving the opposition the time and space required to take advantage, but the endeavour shown was demonstrated by Stephen Warnock who chased a pass back from Baines towards Howard. The American couldn't keep hold of the ball, but was just able to claim it at the second attempt ahead of Warnock

As the half came to close Everton started to impose themselves on the game, Chris Samba twice dealt well under pressure from Jo in the area, but the only time Everton did get room around the Rovers box Jason Brown was the hero. A cross from Jagielka was missed by Cahill, but that set up a chance for Steven Pienaar, he swept the ball goalwards but Brown, in for the injured Robinson, dived full-length to his right to tip the ball around the post.

Sam Allardyce shuffled his pack at the start of the second half, Vince Grella making way for the ever-youthful Tugay due to a groin injury, and it was the home side that should have taken the lead four minutes after the restart, Jason Roberts hustled and bustled his way past two defenders on the right before finding Warnock in the area, he tapped for Roque Santa Cruz to run onto but somehow he drove the ball a yard wide of goal.

Everton themselves were then presented with a chance of their own, a cross from Steven Pienaar deflected off an outstretched boot straight into the path of Tim Cahill but he headed straight at Brown in the Rovers goal.

On the hour Roque Santa Cruz latched onto a cross by El-Hadji Diouf from the left, but the Rovers striker put his header high over the bar.

Rovers were dealt a blow moments later when following a clash of heads with Leon Osman, Gael Givet was unable to continue, Aaron Mokoena coming on to replace the Frenchman.

The Stephen Warnock rattled the crossbar with a wicked free-kick that Tim Howard struggled to deal with on 67 minutes, but it was a minute later that Rovers really should have taken the lead.

Jason Roberts, who had a running battle throughout with Joseph Yobo, for once escaped his clutches to race clear on goal, but he couldn't beat Howard who saved with his legs.

In an attempt to wrestle the game back in their favour, Everton boss David Moyes threw on Louis Saha, a striker who is no stranger to scoring at Ewood Park, the Frenchman almost making an immediate impact as he threaded the ball through for Pienaar, but Warnock made an important tackle.

The unlikely figure of Aaron Mokoena then went close for Rovers, but from Diouf's centre, the South African glanced his header narrowly wide.

Everton rallied late as Rovers tired, from a Baines corner kick Tim Cahill flicked on but to Rovers' relief Joleon Lescott put his first-time effort over the bar.

Five minutes of additional time certainly didn't help the nerves, but there was to be no late drama as the two sides settled for a point.

A haul of four points out of six from their last two games certainly isn't relegation form, and the manager will be pleased to have picked up another cleansheet but as has been said regularly, Rovers need to start putting their chances away.

ROVERS: Brown, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen (c), Givet (sub Mokoena 65 mins), Andrews, Grella (sub Tugay 46 mins), Warnock, Santa Cruz, Roberts, Diouf (sub Treacy 88 mins).

Subs not used: Bunn (GK), Dunn, McCarthy, Simpson.

EVERTON: Howard, Baines, Yobo, Lescott, Jagielka, Jo (sub Fellaini 78 mins), Cahill, Neville (c), Pienaar, Osman, Rodwell (sub Saha 72 mins).

Subs not used: Nash, van der Meyde, Castillo, Jacobsen, Gosling.

Booked: none

Attendance: 21,445