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Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Middlesbrough
Match Reports, 19:41, October 25, 2008 ,
Substitute Benni McCarthy headed home in injury-time to rescue a point for Blackburn against Middlesbrough at Ewood Park.
Despite no goals in the opening period, it was a very entertaining 45 minutes of football and both teams created a number of chances with Roque Santa Cruz and Jeremie Aliadiere both denied by the woodwork inside 15 minutes.
The biggest talking point of the first half came after 24 minutes. Sanli Tuncay produced an acrobatic overhead kick that found the back of the net, but rather harshly it was ruled out for offside.
Santa Cruz was Blackburn's biggest threat during the first half and had a number of chances to score, but he constantly found Middlesbrough keeper Ross Turnbull in fine form.
The second half was far scrappier with the blustery conditions getting the better of both sides. Blackburn were more dominant in possession and although they didn't create much in the final third, they looked the more likely to score.
However, against the run of play, the away side took the lead after 74 minutes through Alfonso Alves. The Brazilian effortlessly took down a long ball before taking a touch and hammering it past Paul Robinson.
Blackburn were shellshocked and many of their fans starting heading for the exits as the game moved into injury-time. But they managed to grab an equaliser as McCarthy headed home a Brett Emerton corner.