BOSS Sam Allardyce was far from impressed as Rovers could only pick up a point at home to Sunderland.

After a first half that was distinctly lacklustre, the second burst into life when Darren Bent fired the visitors in front before Morten Gamst Pedersen levelled straight away.

Bent then gave the Black Cats the lead again but it was a player who cost Rovers £1m when he made the move from the North East to the North West last January, El-Hadji Diouf, that ensured a share of the spoils when he headed home 13 minutes from time.

"It was a scrappy affair from us today," Allardyce told Radio Rovers after the game.

"It was a game where we weren't on song, we weren't at our best form, but we have got something out of the game which is pleasing because we've come from behind twice.

"So there some credit for that, but it is a shame that we didn't give a performance that we know we can give."

The result could have been oh so different had Rovers made the most of the chances that came their way late in the game, much to the disappointment of Allardyce.

"When it was 2-2 and we've had Niko's header go wide, then he sees another saved brilliantly by the goalkeeper and a four yard tap-in by Chris Samba that goes wide, then it is a great shame that we haven't been clinical enough or have the fortune in our favour.

"We asserted the right amount of pressure, but for me we should have played like that a lot sooner.

"Had we done that we would have had more opportunities to win this game.

"In the end we have to be reasonably satisfied with the draw after coming from behind twice. But it is a shame that we weren't at our best today, as had we had been we could have won it."