Ben Marshall netted an injury time freekick as 10-man Blackburn grabbed a 1-1 draw against Town at Portman Road. David McGoldrick curled home a freekick in the 65th minute after Matt Kilgallon had been dismissed having picked up two yellow cards and the Blues looked well on their way to their fourth successive home win until Marshall’s late sucker punch.

Skipper Luke Chambers, who signed a new contract on Friday, was a surprise absentee due to illness, with Christophe Berra taking over as skipper and Tommy Smith returning to the centre of the defence, unusually on the right of the pairing.

Daryl Murphy (achilles), Luke Hyam (hip flexor) and Teddy Bishop (ill) also missed out but Jonny Williams was OK to start despite suffering an ankle problem while away with Wales.

Stephen Hunt came into the side for the first time this season as part of a front three with David McGoldrick and Conor Sammon, while Williams was on the left of the midfield trio alongside Cole Skuse and Kevin Bru.

Former Blue Jordan Rhodes skippered the visitors, while former Town loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe was on the bench.

Aside from Dean Gerken clearing ahead of Rhodes on the edge of his area, neither keeper was tested in the opening 10 minutes. On 11 Lee Williamson saw a shot deflect wide off McGoldrick after a long throw had deflected out to him on the edge of the area.

On 13 a deft McGoldrick flick sent Hunt away on the left but the Irishman’s cross was behind Sammon. Bru won possession back and exchanged passes with McGoldrick but the Mauritian international’s cross was easy for Rovers keeper Jason Steele.

The Blues were starting to gain control of the game and in the 17th minute McGoldrick played in Mings on the left and September’s Championship Player of the Month sent over a superb cross to Jonny Parr deep on the right but the Norwegian screwed his volley high and well wide.

Rudy Gestede headed wide from a Craig Conway cross in the 24th minute as the visitors began to threaten.

Three minutes later, the Lancastrians were close to a goal when keeper Steele’s freekick was flicked on to Tom Cairney by Gestede. The former Hull man’s cross found Rhodes, but his effort was kept out by a combination of Gerken and Parr, who got in one another’s way, the ball somehow avoiding Shane Duffy at the far post and away to safety.

Williams touched a freekick short to McGoldrick on the left in the 33rd minute after Bru had been fouled, but the striker’s shot was held by Steele under pressure from stand-in skipper Berra.

Gestede threatened again on 36, twisting and turning before hitting a low shot which Gerken did very well to save down to his right.

The action quickly moved to the other end and McGoldrick forced Steele to punch into the air and wide with a curling left-foot strike from 25 yards. From the resultant corner Smith headed into the Rovers keeper’s arms.

The 0-0 scoreline at the break was a fair reflection of the first half overall. After a quiet start the Blues had begun to get on top but the visitors had come back into it again and had had the better chances.

McGoldrick was only able to find Steele’s hands with a low cross from the right having been sent away by Skuse shortly after the restart with Hunt making a lung-bursting run into the area.

There was controversy in the 51st minute when Skuse flicked the ball into Sammon’s path and the striker broke forwards before being tripped very deliberately by Kilgallon a couple of yards outside the penalty area.

The Town crowd called for a red card but after consulting with his linesman referee James Adcock showed only a yellow, much the frustration of home supporters. However, Sammon still had a lot to do and it would probably have been harsh for the officials to have deemed it an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

McGoldrick curled the freekick only just wide with Hunt not far away from adding a final touch. Moments later, McGoldrick fed Sammon in the area but his shot from a tight angle on the right deflected over.

The Blues had been very much on top since the break but right on the hour Cairney got away down the Town left but Smith got in a toe to divert his low cross behind.

The red card the Blues fans had been calling for earlier in the half finally came in the 64th minute. McGoldrick played in Sammon, who managed to get goal side of Kilgallon, the defender’s challenge bringing the striker down as he bore down on the edge of the box, although with Blackburn claiming that the Town striker was the one committing the offence.

Referee Adcock showed Kilgallon his second yellow card - after having shown the red - and the former Leeds man was on his way.

McGoldrick was handed the ball for the freekick 20 yards out towards the left of centre and made no mistake, curling a superb strike to Steele’s right and into the corner of the net before celebrating his fourth goal of the season in front of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

Hunt was close to making it 2-0 on 67, the Irishman heading Parr’s right-wing cross goalwards but Duffy blocking on the line. Hunt’s subsequent effort was charged away.

The Blues continued to dominate, as they had from the start of the second half, with a couple of dangerous crosses from the right deflecting only just past the far post.

Former Blue Rhodes’s afternoon ended when he was replaced by Adam Henley in the 75th minute. Four minutes later, Williams made way to applause from the home fans and Jay Tabb took over for the remaining minutes.

McGoldrick was inches from making it 2-0 in the 81st minute when found by Bru’s delightful chip from the right. The Blues frontman struck it on the half volley and his powerful shot cannoned off the post and away.

The Town frontman saw another effort deflect wide a minute later, then from Hunt’s right-sided corner Smith nodded over.

Ex-Blues loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe was introduced by Blackburn on 83, then as the game moved into its final five minutes Paul Anderson replaced the again impressive Bru, who received a warm ovation as he left the field.

Sub Anderson played McGoldrick in on goal in the 89th minute but his shot was under-hit and Steele saved down to his left. The striker will have been tiring but will feel he should have done better.

There had only been one side in it in the second half but in injury time - as was the case at Forest a fortnight ago - the visitors levelled. Berra was penalised for fouling Duffy and Marshall curled a freekick to Gerken’s left and into the net.

Town went looking for a winner in the remaining moments and had what looked a fairly decent shout for a penalty when McGoldrick was bundled over as he sought to get onto Sammon’s flick. But despite protests referee Adcock was unmoved and soon after the official blew his whistle.

The scoreline was very harsh on the Blues who would have been well worth a win having dominated the second half even before Rovers were reduced to 10 men.

However, Town had had more than enough opportunities to increase their lead before Rovers’ late sucker punch but failed to take them with McGoldrick unfortunate with his strike against the post.

Nevertheless, the draw extends Town’s unbeaten run eight games - four wins and four draws - and they remain sixth in the table.

Town: Gerken, Parr, Mings, Smith, Berra (c), Skuse, Bru (Anderson 85), Hunt (Ambrose 90), Williams (Tabb 79), McGoldrick, Sammon. Unused: Bialkowski, Anderson, Bajner, Tabb, Henshall, Clarke.

Blackburn: Steele, Marshall, Duffy, Kilgallon, Olsson, Cairney (Tunnicliffe 83), Evans, Williamson, Conway (Baptiste 68), Gestede, Rhodes (c) (Henley 75). Unused: Eastwood, Taylor, Dunn, Varney. Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire). Att: 16,972 (Blackburn: 379).

Photo: Action Images

Michael11 added 17:23 - Oct 18 Absolutely fuming with that. We played very well and Blackburn didn't deserve anything from that game. They should've been dead and buried long before the goal. Is it really so hard to put a player on both posts when defending a free kick in the 93rd minute? It's so frustrating that it's happened twice in a row now. Without them two goals, we'd be sitting top of the league tonight!! Mind you, look how far we've come that we're mad about not being top of the table. It's light years away from the Jewell/Keane era and for that I'm very grateful.

27

TractorBoy85 added 17:28 - Oct 18 When we drew against Forrest it was a point easy to accept because they deserved it despite it being in the 90th minute, but today Blackburn deserved nothing and makes it more and more frustrating, but when your playing a poor team with 10 men and there's a few minutes left you simply can't back off. Despite that we really played some nice football today and on another day we would've won by a lot more.

10

itfc94 added 17:28 - Oct 18 It feels like we have lost the last two games. I just hope come the end of the season we do not look back being 4 points a drift of automatics or play-offs even more. Onwards and upwards! COYB
8

tractorkent added 17:28 - Oct 18 I am not going to be too hard on the boys, they have done brilliantly so far this year.With Ipswich though I never feel relaxed until the final whistle.I was not suprised when Blackburn scored.
1

paulthebluealien added 17:28 - Oct 18 Frustrated. Angered. But also, realistic. Town SHOULD be joint top of this league. Our problem is simple, we are not finishing teams off when we are going ahead. We should have been 2 or 3 up and in cruise control but we're soft and letting down such good defensive work through cheap goals being given away. We have, however, a chance to put it right on Tuesday at Cardiff and then we host Huddersfield. Let's out it right, McCarthy has to go guns blazing against Cardiff.

7

loyal_Blue added 17:29 - Oct 18 8 undefeated but against a team with 10 men for nearly 30 mins is not good enough we should of finished the game off .... Two games and we have dropped 4 points ... This has to change and quickly we should be able to at least see these games out... We will return to winning ways on Tuesday! COYB!
2

smithy91 added 17:29 - Oct 18 What a kick in the teeth that was! Taking into account its now 2 late goals in 2 games meaning 4 potential points lost. One little negative out of the way- Mccarthy did alot of chopping and changing in the midfield with 60 odd minutes gone, onwards. Think this disrupted things a bit too much imo. But despite this, we did look very good at times in the second half. Mcgoldrick could of had a hat trick, Bru was sublime with his forward passing. Full backs were excellent again also. ps the ref was shocking today!

6

TimmyH added 17:31 - Oct 18 Had a feeling the game would be a draw today...but again in the most annoying circumstances, played fairly well second half even before Kilgallon was sent off and should have buried the game. Just hoping we don't continue to drop points because it can come back to bite you in the backside come the end of the season. (we did it numerous times last season) - good to see in general we're playing better and looking a fairly solid outfit but it counts for little if we're not mentally strong enough to see games out.

4

StochesStotasBlewe added 17:32 - Oct 18 Once again, our inability to finish teams off when totally in control has come to bite us on the bum. Forget the Rovers equaliser, this game should have been put to bed way before that & that goal should have been a mere consolation. Good performance up front & defensively by Sammon imo, the class & guile from Williams & McGoldrick but that Achilles heel is costing us too many points. However, this division is wide open, so although a bit downbeat at the moment, I feel the opportunity for a decent season is on the cards.

7

runaround added 17:35 - Oct 18 Gutted to say the least. I really am not sure how we didn't win that. Although Blackburn were better for first half hour once we got used the change in personnel we were by far the better side & really looked in no danger but as soon as they got the free kick everyone feared the worst and to be fair to Marshall it was a brilliant free kick Big shout for a penalty with last kick too It's galling the way we have dropped 4 points in last 2 matches in injury time & we desperately need to hold on for a win before the conceding of late goals becomes a habit

1

rjw_ipsw1987 added 17:35 - Oct 18 Gutted with that result, especially with forest away still fresh in the memory. But, still in the play offs and playing much more entertaining football. Gutted to not be in the top 2 but if someone offered me 6th 12 games in id have taken it immediately! on to Cardiff. COYB
0

tractorboybig added 17:37 - Oct 18 3 games = 9 points. we have 3 should have 7 that is why we are staying down
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muccletonjoe added 17:38 - Oct 18 Not to worry. We are still in there and a point nearer you know who
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TractorCam added 17:41 - Oct 18 Ok, i don't like to often blame bad results on referees, but that was appalling. Shocking decisions and if the FA appoint people like him then i guess we all have a chance. However, we did have opportunities to kill the game off not including the amount of last man fouls they gave against us, we had Didz hitting the post, Hunty header cleared off the line etc, need to be more clinical as we're always nervous at the back towards the end. Like said, we are still 8 unbeaten and have came along way over 2 years, just need to take our chances

8

Jimmy86 added 17:41 - Oct 18 As poor a perfomance from a referee ive seen at portman road in a long time. Got the red card right after 2 attempts and if anything their player jumped into Berra and not the other way round, the ref has cost us 2 points today and was so poor. We really should have made it 2-0 with didz but he just ran out of gas. Now ive got that off my chest I can concentrate on the positives. Thought Williams and Bru were outstanding, Hunt played well but was little rusty and sammon didnt quite have the same effect us murphy, who we missed today. We are still unbeaten and in the play offs though, but it should have been 3 points and not 1

4

Chicago_Blue added 17:43 - Oct 18 FFS Mick, stop dicking with the team when we're playing well. We lose our momentum and shape and stop playing our game! Well will you learn!? Happens so many times! We CANNOT defend a lead! Learn that you fool!
-10

essexboy added 17:44 - Oct 18 Gutted with the result.The defence must not switch off untill the final whistle.Now 4 points dropped.If I were Mick I would not be very pleased.Ok,we played good football and should have scored at least 3 goals.I also felt the changes today weakened the team.Never mind I will still take 6th spot,but it would have been nice to be above our neighbours tonight.Roll on Tuesday.COYB.

-1

EssexTractor added 17:45 - Oct 18 Disappointment, frustration, anger..a mix of all three as the final whistle went. But trying to be calm and fair we are now hugely improved throughout the team. However to be a real threat to all the other would be promotees we do need to go for the jugular when we are at home, ahead and playing against 10. Plusses today Kevin Bru and Conor Sammons second half performance. But MM we need to find how to really step on the gas. We have not yet scored more than two in any game this season. We need to show we can and second half today gave us the perfect platform. In summary though best to be sixth top than sixth bottom

4

phillo added 18:07 - Oct 18 Tend to agree with most points here tbh. The good - we are still 6th, still unbeaten & look like a team who play good football with some outstanding players (I thought Bru was outstanding today - quality footballer) ..... The bad - Extremely bizarre performance by the ref who managed to annoy both sides & either bottled or got wrong all of the major decisions (who else saw Sammon step on the ball & fall over rather than be fouled when that fella got his second yellow !!) HOWEVER the main reason we didn't win is because at 1-0 up against a poor 10 men & dominating the game ..... we voluntarily go down to 10 men our selves (by bringing Tab on !) & sit back !!!! Unfortunately you could see it coming ...... & again it did. As others have said we have arguably "lost" between 4/6 points so far this season by being negative & this will not bring us promotion. We need to be brave & not sit back ..... it will cost us unfortunately if we don't ....

5

Trimleytractor added 18:11 - Oct 18 Disappointed obviously. Sad to witness an appalling performance by a referee from the D'urso school. Whilst Town have to reflect on the loss of another two points you know that refereeing like that can ultimately cost gour team. Sour grapes?
0

karls_dad added 18:11 - Oct 18 I just do not get it!!How hard would it be if you placed all ten outfield players on the line witrh Gerks in the middle! nigh on impossible to score a goal,as at least one of them would block a shot, We do this all the time, i was waiting for them to score! how sad is that? four points dropped in added time, madness!!
4

Trimleytractor added 18:14 - Oct 18 That's 'your' team not 'gour' team.
-1

martleshamitfc added 18:17 - Oct 18 Hunt (who played well) should have come off 10 minutes earlier, he was dead on his feet and , the sloppy pass between Tabb and Hunt led to the free kick and that was the only way Blackburn were ever going to score!! Teams that get promoted see games out and get 3 points, now 4 points lost in last 2 games. Blackburn cannot believe their luck!
5

TractorBoy666 added 18:18 - Oct 18 When we were playing so well, why bring two of our best players off (Williams & Bru)? And Mick then brings his mates on in Tabb and Anderson who did awful when they came on. All our players then got behind the ball against a 10 man Blackburn who were very poor all game. Another 2 points dropped, but I have to say I thought the ref was dreadful today and the penalty claim right at the end was a stonewall penalty. Was robbed as well as poor decision making by Mick, let's go again on Tuesday!

4

Jayembee added 18:23 - Oct 18 Two points dropped today, but at halftime it looked like a draw. Shame that Hunt lost the ball which lead to the goal.Onwards and upwards.
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