Sami Szmodics rescued a point for Blackburn but his 20th Championship goal of the season could not hide the home side’s disappointment after a tough 1-1 draw with Millwall at Ewood Park.
Szmodics pounced on a defensive error to fire home just on the hour mark, 10 minutes after Millwall substitute Michael Obafemi had put the Lions ahead.
But the result extended Rovers’ disappointing streak to just one win in 15 league games and John Eustis still searches for his first win in charge.
By contrast, Millwall’s point under Neil Harris extended their unbeaten run to three matches and they will surely have been delighted, despite the sloppy manner in which they finished the defensive work for over an hour.
Revived by his all-time record goalscorer in charge, the visitors had the best chance of an almost uneventful first half, Zim Fleming firing into the side netting from a tight angle after George Saville’s corner.
It was the only chance of any sort mustered in the first half by Harris’ men, who looked happy to sit back and let the momentum out of the home side, with Japat Tinganga particularly impressive at the back.
The Lions’ strategy may have worked if the scattered boots that greeted the hosts at the half-time whistle were anything to go by.
Szmodics could do nothing with an effort from a tight angle after Tyrhys Dolan went through, then Szmodics returned the favor but his team-mate was caught offside.
The busy Dolan tried his luck from long range but his effort was blocked by Tinganga, who was also instrumental in clearing a dangerous Dom Hyam free-kick, before Fleming had a chance at the other end just under the half-hour mark. before
Jack Cooper denied Szmodics a shooting chance with an excellent interception, then Ryan Longman’s daring counter-attack was neatly set up to round out a forgettable first period.
Obafemi needed less than eight minutes to make an impression, fiercely beating Billy Mitchell’s fine cross into the box and capitalizing on poor Rovers defending to turn away and fire a rising shot past home goalkeeper Leo Wallstadt. did
Amid obvious frustration among the home fans, Rovers responded well, forcing a save from Szmodoks Mateja Saric before a dangerous error from Millwall’s Danny McNamara extended their 63rd-minute equaliser.
The full-back failed to find Rovers substitute Amor Sigurdsson while playing a square ball and the Iceland striker, who had been on the pitch for just two minutes, served Suzmodeks to put Sarkic ahead.
The brilliant Tinganga headed home a dangerous cross under pressure from Sarmodyx, while Yassin Ayari’s long-range effort in injury time was palmed away by Sark as Mill were on the wall.
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John Eustace of Blackburn:
“It wasn’t a classic but again the girls showed great character and consistency to come from a goal behind a difficult opponent.
“I was happy with the reaction. We took possession without checking their keeper, but we worked hard and held together and in the end it was a good result.
“The lads have been fantastic since I arrived. We are playing players who have come back from long injuries and they are running through brick walls for us. They are hung over and tired but they are totally committed to the cause.
Millwall’s Neil Harris:
“When you stick your nose into a bad game at this stage of the season, you need to look at the game.
“Danny is disappointed but he will stand up and take responsibility and there were other things we didn’t do well in terms of building goals, so there is no individual blame culture.
“The big thing for me is that we came out tonight and we conceded a very poor goal but the players all mentioned that it was a really good point for us tonight.
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