Controversial Blackburn leveller

Monday, 03, Apr 2006 10:19

Blackburn snatched a late equaliser to draw 1-1 and deny Wigan all three points at Ewood Park.

A win would have lifted Rovers into fourth place level with Tottenham but they were unable to continue their recent home form and needed a late Shefki Kuqi goal to avoid defeat.

Graham Kavanagh prevented Steven Reid giving Blackburn the lead after just two minutes as he swept in and halted the Irishman as he looked certain to score.

Both sides traded early shots as Paul Scharner half-volleyed wide and Morten Gamst Pedersen shot onto the roof of the net.

The game then trailed off as both sides were desperate not to concede. Blackburn thought they had scored after Pedersen poked home but the referee judged that Paul Dickov had fouled John Filan.

After the break Wigan took a surprising lead from a Jimmy Bullard corner. Pascal Chimbonda won the ball at the far post and his nod down fell to Jason Roberts who back-heeled the ball brilliantly on the volley into the back of the net.

Blackburn surged forward and looked to have won a penalty when Craig Bellamy was pushed by Leighton Baines but referee Phil Dowd was unmoved.

The referee again took no action in an even more remarkable decision in the 84th minute.

Lucas Neill clearly fouled Filan before the ball dropped for Kuqi to roll in an equaliser. Surprisingly the referee decided to allow the goal to stand and Wigan were left distraught.