Blackburn Rovers 1 Blackpool 1: match report - Jordan Rhodes rescues struggling Blackburn
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jordan Rhodes rescued a point for managerless Blackburn, who extended their winless run to nine matches against Lancashire neighbours Blackpool.
Michael Appleton – who led the Seasiders to a 2-0 victory over Rovers in December before taking up the reins at Ewood Park a month later – was sacked last week to leave Gary Bowyer in caretaker charge, as he was following Henning Berg's similarly brief tenure earlier in the campaign.
Such chaos behind the scenes under controversial owners Venky's has been reflected by dismal performances on the field and on-loan MK Dons centre-back Gary MacKenzie gave Blackpool a 64th-minute lead as Rovers once again failed to convince.
They looked set to rue earlier missed chances by David Jones and Josh King but Scotland international striker Rhodes secured a share of the spoils with his 24th Championship goal of the season.
Tom Ince and substitute Elliot Grandin came close to sealing the points for Paul Ince's men, but both teams edged five points clear of the Championship relegation zone having shared very different ambitions at the start of the season.
By the hour mark, the away side had successfully pushed Rovers back and it was therefore on the cards when MacKenzie reacted quickest to smuggle home at the near post after goalkeeper Jake Kean touched Alex Baptiste's header from Ince's right-wing corner away from the goalmouth.
The equaliser came in the 79th minute with set-piece vulnerability on display once more – Todd Kane heading across goal from Lee Williamson's chip into the box after Pool failed to clear for Rhodes to nod home and end a six-game goal drought for club and country.
Blackpool came close to coming away with the win but Kean parried Ince's shot at the end of a run and also tipped over Grandin's header.
Blackburn Rovers (4-3-3): Kean; Kane, Dann, Hanley, Morris; Williamson, Lowe, Jones (Best, 71); King (Kazim-Richards, 61), Dunn (Stewart, 89), Rhodes.
Blackpool (4-5-1): Gilks; Baptiste, Broadfoot, MacKenzie, Crainey; Ferguson, Basham (Grandin, 84), Sylvestre, M Phillips (Futacs, 84), Ince; Derbyshire (Delfouneso, 57).
Referee M Russell (Hertfordshire).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments