Premier League: Blackburn 2 Blackpool 2

Junior Hoilett snatched a late equaliser for Blackburn Rovers in a pulsating Lancashire derby at Ewood Park.

Charlie Adam scored from the spot and with a brilliant free-kick to give Blackpool a 2-0 lead at half-time.

But Christopher Samba brought Rovers back to life after the restart before Hoilett’s dramatic late strike rescued a share of the spoils.

But a point is not much help to either side, who are both embroiled in the relegation dogfight and desperately needing a win.

Rovers boss Steve Kean described the game as the most important game of the season while his opposite number Ian Holloway is desperate to stop the Tangerines’ slide down the table.

Both sides were happy to welcome back key men with Roque Santa Cruz and Ryan Nelsen back in the starting line-up for Blackburn and long-term absentee Phil Jones on the bench while Blackpool’s Adam returned from suspension.

Rovers started well roared on by a raucous Ewood Park crowd, which was almost rewarded when Jermaine Jones hit a fierce strike that flashed just over the bar.

But Blackpool responded well and they thought that they had the opener after 20 minutes when Luke Varney turned in Adam’s dangerous free-kick only for the goal to be ruled out by a late flag.

However, they only had to wait another five minutes for the first goal when Adam scored from the penalty spot.

But Blackburn were furious with the decision made by World Cup referee Howard Webb, who adjudged that Nelsen had clipped Gary Taylor-Fletcher in the area.

And it got worse for Blackburn four minutes later when Adam hit a brilliant 25-yard free-kick into the top corner with Paul Robinson rooted to the spot.

But the hosts gave themselves a lifeline 10 minutes of the second half. Hoilett and Mame Biram Diouf had efforts blocked before Samba fired a fierce low shot past Richard Kingson.

Minutes later, Martin Olsson almost brought Blackburn level when his angled shot slammed off the woodwork while at the other end, Robinson batted away a shot by Jason Puncheon.

Blackburn then went close to pulling level twice – Samba going close with a header from a corner, which was blocked in the goal mouth before Hoillett fired over after a perfect knockdown from the giant defender.

But they finally grabbed the equaliser in injury time when Kingson missed a deep free kick and Hoilett was in the right place to head home.