Blackburn fail to make ground on top six after draw with Blackpool

Play-off hopefuls Blackburn failed to make ground on the top six after they were held 1-1 by Blackpool at Ewood Park.

Tony Mowbray’s men made the ideal start through Sam Gallagher’s expert finish in the 10th minute and although there was a nervousness about their play, they were in relative control for the first period.

But the Tangerines, who missed a gilt-edged chance in the opening exchanges through CJ Hamilton, came out firing and Marvin Ekpiteta’s close-range finish – his fourth of the campaign – sent the vociferous visiting support into raptures.

And that proved to be enough for the visitors, who may have scored at the end through substitute Josh Bowler, whose shot was deflected onto the woodwork.

Blackburn lacked the composure to break down the visitors and are winless in three and two points outside the play-offs, while Blackpool ended a run of two defeats with a deserved point.

Ben Brereton Diaz made his first start since February, and captain Darragh Lenihan also returned for the hosts, while the visitors made five changes, including returns for Chris Maxwell and Jordan Gabriel.

The Tangerines spurned a glorious chance in the eighth minute after Scott Wharton’s slip gave Hamilton a free run at goal but his shot was saved by the legs of Thomas Kaminski when passing to onrushing team-mates looked the better option.

From the resulting corner, Jordan Thorniley showed superb feet to find space for a snapshot that whistled just wide.

They were made to pay in the 10th minute as a long punt from Kaminski found Gallagher who brought the ball down beautifully and although his next touch was heavy, he calmly lifted the ball into the bottom left corner for his eighth this term.

Joe Rothwell troubled the visitors with a