McCarthy to the rescue for Rovers

Benni McCarthy made amends for failing to convert a penalty by scoring the late equaliser that capped a Blackburn fightback to earn a point against local rivals Bolton in a 2-2 draw.

Despite going two goals down, Blackburn managed to avoid a first defeat under Sam Allardyce when South African striker McCarthy pounced four minutes from time to add to Stephen Warnock’s strike just after the hour mark.

Against his former club, Allardyce opted to restore fit-again duo Jason Roberts and Andre Ooijer to the starting line-up, at the expense of Roque Santa Cruz and Danny Simpson.

Brett Emerton and Keith Andrews also started, ahead of Aaron Mokoena and Martin Olsson, while Bolton had skipper Kevin Nolan back from a two-match ban and on-loan defender Sebastien Puygrenier making his first start.

It was Bolton who made the brighter start and it was no surprise when Matt Taylor slid in to convert a cross from Ariza Makukula, on loan from Benfica, after 15 minutes.

The visitors then doubled their lead ten minutes before the break through Kevin Davies.

Gretar Steinsson had been involved in the build-up to the opening goal and he also provided the foundation for the second, driving in a low cross that was missed by Nolan at the near post.

Davies spotted the opportunity however and, although his first effort was blocked by Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson, the striker was able to slot home the rebound.

There was little sign of Rovers mustering a fightback until eight minutes into the second half, when the hitherto anonymous McCarthy played Warnock in behind the Bolton back four and the left-back produced a fine strike to beat Jaaskelainen.

Five minutes later, substitute Roque Santa Cruz was pulled down by Jaaskelainen, who dusted himself off to save McCarthy’s penalty low to his right before blocking the rebound.

The South African had the final say however as he made amends for his spot-kick miss by tapping into an empty net from close range after Jaaskelainen had denied Jason Roberts.

And Blackburn almost snatched all three points at the death when captain Ryan Nelsen headed a Steinsson free-kick from the right against the post in injury time.