McCarthy rescues point for Blackburn
Matt Derbyshire and David Wheater in action in 1-1 draw
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Saturday, 25, Oct 2008 10:16
South African striker Benni McCarthy scored an injury-time equaliser to grab a crucial point for Blackburn against Middlesbrough this evening.
Middlesbrough looked on course to redeem themselves from last week's 5-0 defeat at home Chelsea as Afonso Alves thumped home their goal with only 15 minutes left home of normal time. But Gareth Southgate's men were unable to hold on as McCarthy scored with a header from a Brett Emerton corner.
It was a dramatic finish to an absorbing match were both sides should have scored more than the one goal. Tuncay Sanli had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside and Jeremie Aliadiere hit the bar for Middlesbrough, while Roque Santa Cruz struck the woodwork for Blackburn.
Middlesbrough should have taken an early lead when Aliadiere had a great chance from 12 yards out. Rovers were caught defending statically and a long hopeful ball from Chris Riggott found Aliadiere, but with only Paul Robinson to beat the Frenchman saw his effort come back off the bar.
The woodwork then came to the rescue for Blackburn as Santa Cruz saw his shot on goal beat Ross Turnball in the Boro goal, but the ball came back off the post.
Middlesbrough were denied a goal when Tuncay brilliantly scored with an overhead kick. The linesman ruled the Turkish striker was offside, though replays showed he wasn't.
The second-half lacked the gusto of the first and it was only in the last 15 minutes that the game came back to life.
Brazilian Alves showed his class as he latched on to a long ball from Gary O'Neil before turning inside Andre Ooijer and firing the ball past Robinson.
Middlesbrough looked on course for a valuable three points, but with almost the last attack of the game Blackburn won a corner. Robinson came up for it, but it was substitute McCarthy who rose highest to meet Emerton's corner to score.