Blues grabbed a valuable and deserved draw at Ewood Park against ten-man Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park this afternoon.

Stern John scored a late equaliser for Blues after Damien Duff had put Rovers ahead with a first half goal.

Rovers were forced to play much of the game with ten men after Andy Todd was sent off for kicking out at Blues' star man Christophe Dugarry.

Today's game saw the surprise inclusion of Ian Bennett making his Premiership debut in goal along with the return of the suspended duo of Clinton Morrison and Aliou Cisse.

Also back in the side after recovering from injury was Stan Lazaridis, with Jamie Clapham dropping to left-back.

Blues almost got off to a lightning start inside the first minute when Dugarry collected Damien Johnson's pass on his chest and hit a first time volley which Brad Friedel smothered with his body and away for a corner.

Blackburn then went close with an in-swinging free kick which went a foot wide of the far post.

The game sprung into life with chances at either end.

Morrison ran onto Lazaridis' corner and hit his shot wide and at the other end Ian Bennett came out to make a super save from Andy Cole, which Vickers cleared away to safety. 

Christophe Dugarry picked up his first booking in a Blues shirt in the 18th minute for a challenge on Lucas Neill.

A minute later Blackburn took the lead.

A neat move instigated by David Thompson set Dwight Yorke free in the box.

Yorke collected the ball before knocking it across the six-yard box where Andy Cole missed an open goal but Damien Duff was there to knock it past Bennett.

Jamie Clapham was next in the book in the 23rd minute for obstructing Lucas Neill.

Moments later Ian Bennett was at hand to turn away a stunning 30-yard strike by goal scorer Damien Duff.

Jamie Clapham was then was inches way from an equaliser with a 25-yard effort which flew just over the bar following Lazaridis' corner.

A minute later Blackburn were down to ten men after Andy Todd was red carded for 'booting' Dugarry off the ball following a challenge on the French star seconds earlier.

Lucas Neill was next in the book in the 32nd minute for a late challenge on Dugarry.

Blues attempted to take advantage of the extra man and went close when Savage played the ball on for Lazaridis who hit it first time but Flitcroft was there to block it for a corner.

In the 35th minute there were substitutions for either side.

The injured Steve Vickers was replaced by Paul Devlin and Dwight Yorke was forfeited for centre half Nils-Eric Johansson.

Card happy Mr Wilkes booked Tugay in the 38th minute for a blatant trip on Paul Devlin.

Just before half time Lazaridis almost scored direct from the corner but Friedel managed to punch it out and Blues failed to capitalise in the scramble that followed.

Damien Duff almost created an opening for David Thompson at the start of the second half but the diminutive midfielder ghosted in at the far post and
volleyed over the bar.

Ten man Rovers were dictating play now and a slip by Savage almost allowed Cole to get a shot in, but Bennett was there to clear the ball away.

Blues first chance came when Clapham broke clear and crossed to Dugarry who steered his header agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

Blues were getting back into the game and Morrison set up Cisse who burst into the box but hit a poor shot wide from 12 yards.

A neat move involving Cisse and Lazaridis almost set up Morrison but Taylor was there to hook it away for a corner.

In the 64th minute Michael Johnson limped out of action replaced by Jovan Kirovski with Cisse moving to centre half.

Midway through the half Dugarry was a whisker away from equalising.

Lazaridis' corner was flicked on by Kirovski to Dugarry whose downward header appeared to be saved by Friedel but a goal kick was the decision.

Stan Lazaridis was booked in the 70th minute for allegedly diving.

Matt Jansen replaced Andy Cole in the 74th minute.

A minute later Jeff Kenna was replaced by Stern John in a bid to get something from the game.

Blues were now dominating and went close again when Dugarry set Kirovski free in the box but his shot was somehow tipped away by Friedel yet again.

Blackburn then had a couple of chances in a minute.

Youngster James McEveley raced clear and fired wide, then Duff hit a low shot at the near post which Bennett gathered at the second attempt.

Bruce's gamble paid off when Blues grabbed a deserved equaliser in the 83rd minute when Lazaridis' floated cross was met by Stern John who powered a firm header past Friedel.

A minute later Duff pulled a shot just past Bennett's far post.

Blues should have scored the winner moments later when Kirovski set up John who hit a shot which skimmed the bar.

Straight away at the other end Jansen sent Duff clear again but Bennett stood up to make a great save back to Duff, who headed the ball from the floor,
past Bennett and past the post.

Despite throwing everything into it, Blues could not muster a winner and had to settle for the point.

Match Report by Jon Shaw  
Photography by Roy Smiljanic