BORO Miss Out on 3 Points

Blackburn Rovers 1 - 1 BORO

BORO defender David Wheater added his name to the short list of BORO top scorers, away to Blackburn at the weekend, as he bagged his third goal of the season falling just behind Tuncay on four and top scorer Stewart Downing on 5 goals.

BORO could have had Blackburn dead and buried following their 13th minute goal, with a string of chances that could have seen BORO walk away with a five goal win. But BORO's lack of scoring ability served to heighten the need for a proven striker and, whilst news of an imminent return for Mido will come as a relief to the club, BORO still need to thrash out a positive deal for a new striker after approaches for Afonso Alves and Lyon's Fred appear to have come to nothing.

BORO went to Blackburn feeling confident with the home side failing to perform at Ewood Park, whilst BORO have been better on the road than at home this season.

It was BORO who took the lead after just thirteen minutes, when Stewart Downing's perfectly weighted free-kick found the giant David Wheater. Rising above Ryan Nelsen in front of keeper Brad Friedel to launch a powerful header into the Blackburn net, Wheater secured his third goal of the season.

Determined to grab a result at home, Rovers mounted a series of comeback charges but were reduced to long range efforts and Roque Santa Cruz's effort lacked the power to beat Schwarzer.

BORO might have had a second goal, before half time as Gary O'Neil crossed from the right for Tuncay who failed to make a connection with the ball

After the break, David Bentley got BORO hearts in mouths as his long range, left foot curler left Schwarzer scrambling across his goal as the ball bounced narrowly wide.

Once again Jeremie Aliadiere was instrumental in BORO's attacks as he looked to begin a more ruthless streak, bursting into the box and opting to go for goal rather than square the ball to Gary O'Neil in front of goal.

Wheater could have scored his second of the game with another header, this time striking the bar as Rovers' deffence struggled to cope with the 6ft 4in defender. Whilst Tuncay made a complete hash of his earlier effort, the ball bouncing off of his standing leg from less than 6 yards out.

Fabio Rochemback' power-driven free kick stung the hands of Brad Friedel who had no time to react, parrying the ball out to Gary O'Neil whose follow-up shot, on the turn, was weak and was gathered easily by Friedel.

Then on 75 minutes substitute Matt Derbyshire made BORO pay for their missed chances, as he had done earlier in the season at the Riverside. Sant Cruz knocked the ball down into the BORO box before Jason Robert's miss-hit fell kindly to Derbyshire who placed the ball past Schwarzer from less than ten yards.

Stewart Downing came close with a far post header and Jeremie Aliadiere headed his late effort over the bar from inside the six yard area, wiping out Brad Friedel in the process.

Rovers were relieved to see BORO waist countless goalscoring chances and were happy to hold on to a well undeserved point.

"There are so many good things about the performance that we shouldn't be disappointed, but we are." - Gareth Southgate.

Attendance: 21,687
BORO Blog Man of the Match: David Wheater

George Boateng was in the BORO side again at the weekend, though stripped of his captaincy. Julio Arca was awarded the armband against Blackburn and Gareth Southgate confirmed that Boateng had been stripped of his captaincy on a permanent basis, after the added responsibility appeared to have coincided with a major dip in performance since Southgate became manager. It is likely that Arca will remain the captain for now, but fans' favourites to take on the role for the long term future are Jonathan Woodgate or Luke Young.

Photos & Quotes courtesy of BBC Sport (news.bbc.co.uk/sport) & SkySports (www.skysports.com/football)