Blackburn edge closer to safety

Blackburn edged a little closer to Premier League survival with a battling display to earn a 1-1 draw with West Ham at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Substitute Keith Andrews salvaged the point for Sam Allardyce’s side after Mark Noble had given the visitors a first-half lead.

With Roque Santa Cruz sidelined by a knee tendon problem, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce recalled Benni McCarthy to his starting line-up, while New Zealander Ryan Nelsen was also back in the fold, at the expense of Zurab Khizanishvili.

West Ham’s defence was disrupted by the loss of Matthew Upson, victim of a calf injury.

McCarthy, whose last league start dated back to February 7, could have been on the scoresheet as early as the fourth minute but was frustrated by James Tomkins as he attempted to convert a close range chance.

That set the tone for Blackburn to dominate the opening exchanges but after Stephen Warnock had spurned a decent half chance, it was West Ham who took the lead, ten minutes before the interval.

Luis Boa Morte got clear on the right flank before cutting the ball back for Diego Tristan. The Spaniard rolled a neat pass into Noble’s path and the midfielder produced an accomplished finish, finding the far corner with the outside of his boot.

Blackburn replaced Andre Ooijer with Andrews at the break and it was the substitute who fired the home side back on level terms, six minutes after his entrance.

Morten Gamst Pedersen’s long throw generated chaos in the Hammers box and when the loose ball broke to Andrews, the substitute blasted in from eight yards.

Blackburn continued to threaten until the final whistle with Pedersen going close and El Hadji Diouf coming within inches of connecting with a Jason Roberts flick with the goal gaping. But Allardyce’s side were unable to conjure up the second goal that would have secured all three points.