A stodgy affair in West Lancashire ended with honours even as Blackburn Rovers grabbed their first away point since November, as they were forced to settle for a draw after conceding a two-goal lead to Preston North End, before half-time, but both sides were forced to take a point each.
After losing his first full game in-charge of Rovers back at his old side, Birmingham City, by a 1-0 scoreline, John Eustace made two changes from Tuesday night’s fixture. One switch was enforced as Joe Rankin-Costello came out of the side and was replaced by John Fleck for his Rovers debut, whilst Scott Wharton was alteration number two, who came in for Ben Chrisene as Ryan Hedges continued as a left-wing-back.
As over 4,000 Rovers fans, including David Dunn, Hayden Carter, Harry Pickering and – what looked like – ex-assistant manager, Remy Reynierse all packed into the Bill Shankly Stand, as John Fleck got the game rolling with Rovers looking to grab their first Deepdale three points since Paul Lambert’s first game in-charge of the Blues on 22nd November 2015.
Rovers started the brighter of the two sides as it only took Sammie Szmodics, four minutes, to get himself frightening the North End defenders. Rovers’ top scorer saw the ball drop nicely for him as he released a strong half-volley from distance, but it failed to trouble Freddie Woodman as the ball flew wide.
What did trouble Woodman, however, was Szmodics’ second attempt of the game, after just seven minutes where Rovers actually managed to take the lead in their first away game since their last road victory against Stoke City in November 2023. A midfield battle saw Sam Gallagher emerge with the ball as he propped it up midway inside the Preston half, before spotting the run of Szmodics and delivering a perfect lofted ball into the eventual scorer’s path. Szmodics let the ball bounce into position ahead of the trailing defender before executing a deft side-footed first-time finish past Woodman, into the bottom right-hand corner of the net for 1-0 as the away end at the other end of Deepdale went wild.
Preston weren’t going to lie down and let their neighbours run riot in their own backyard as Liam Millar got involved in the 12th minute. The on-loan FC Basel winger broke through and tried to curl a left-footed effort from off the right-hand side, but Aynsley Pears was on-hand to keep the ball under his spell.
Rovers were forced into an early change in the 17th minute as John Fleck departed with an injury before being replaced by Jake Garrett.
That alteration seemingly didn’t make a difference to a rampant Rovers side as by the 23rd minute they found themselves two goals to the good after Sam Gallagher went from provider to finisher! Callum Brittain picked the ball up from inside his own half and played an outstanding through ball down the right-hand channel into the path of the galloping Gallagher. The forward timed his run perfectly and, like Szmodics, let the ball run its own course before a first-time poke with the right-foot saw him expertly squeeze the ball past the on-rushing Woodman and inch-perfect inside the right-hand post to double Rovers’ advantage to 2-0!
Rovers looked to continue their fine start to the game after 36 minutes as Brittain sent a free-kick forward that was cleared as far as Szmodics. The first scorer again looked to try and grab a brace, but his attempt from range was followed all the way by Woodman who claimed the attempt.
Three minutes later, Rovers lost their clean-sheet in what was becoming almost an expected occurrence, rather than a surprise. A Preston corner by Robbie Brady from the right saw some pinball in the box as some players toppled over like bowling pins before the ball broke out and was tapped back in the direction of the now-onside Brady. The Republic of Ireland international managed to get to the ball first, before Tyrhys Dolan and wasted no time in taking a touch in what was looking to be a game of ‘first-time finishes’ as he curled a splendid effort from wide-right inside the far-post with pinpoint accuracy to reduce the arrears to 2-1 with five minutes left until the break, in what was not only his first goal for North End, but his first goal at any level since May 2020.
Rovers went from losing their clean-sheet to losing all composure as with just two minutes left until the break, they were undone by another set-pieces as the home side brought the scores back level at 2-2 to give the Rovers fans more bad Deepdale memories, courtesy of Emil Riis Jakobsen. Another corner, this time from the left-hand side saw Rovers again fail to clear their lines as a scramble broke out inside the six-yard box as an overhead kick by Liam Lindsay saw Pears half-palm the ball away with Emil Riis Jakobsen on-hand to force it over the line in what looked like a Pears own goal, despite it being credited to the Dane.
After five minutes were added on by referee David Webb, neither side managed to craft a real chance at goal to try and score a fifth goal in the game, as time was soon called on a frantic first-half in the Lancashire rain.
John Eustace would have been forgiven for tearing his hair out at the break given his side’s fragility at set-pieces. Despite flying out of the blocks and looking every value for their two-goal lead, his starting side, which held an average age of over 28 – for the first-time since July 2020 – had somehow crumbled under the pressure of their hosts’ set-pieces and let their Achillies’ Heel rear its ugly head once more.
Ryan Lowe, in contrast, would have been bouncing off the walls after his team had managed to overcome their two-goal deficit and get back level in such quick fashion. The former Plymouth Argyle boss would have wanted his side to continue battling hard and showing their physical presence against a Rovers side that have notably been outfought and out-strengthened numerous times this season.
Once the players returned to the balding pitch for the second period, it was the hosts who restarted the game as they were looking to continue their fine run of form, both in the league and in derbies, as they were aiming for their first derby double over Rovers since 2018-19.
Just before the hour mark, Callum Brittain had a rare foray forwards as he tried to add a second-half goal to his first-half assist, but his left-footed effort deflected behind off his own teammate in a move which summarised Rovers since taking a two-goal lead.
In the 64th minute, Rovers made a double change as Ben Chrisene and Arnór Sigurðsson were introduced as Ryan Hedges and Tyrhys Dolan departed.
Preston also made their first switch in the 69th minute as Layton Stewart took the place of Will Keane.
The game continued to lack any real enthusiasm in the second-half, as Preston looked the more dominant side and likely to disturb the scoreboard, without really creating any clear-cut, killer chances as Rovers continued to defend for their life and suffer without the possession they were used to.
In the 74th minute, the team in highlighter yellow broke forwards as Ben Chrisene picked out Sam Gallagher whose effort was blocked. The ball made its way out to Sondre Tronstad whose cross from the right was blocked behind for a corner that the home side dealt with easily.
As the second period continued to really give either support base value for the £30 they’d spent, Preston looked to try and liven up their attacking outlets as Ali McCann and Milutin Osmajić replaced the two goalscorers, Robbie Brady and Emil Riis Jakobsen.
That proved to be all that really happened in the second period as there was a lot of huffing and puffing from either side, but neither were really able to work their game plans in what was a poor surface to play on, as five minutes were added by David Webb once the 90th minute mark hit.
The raising of the fourth official’s board gave Preston that one last impetus to try and win the game late on and inflict more heartbreak and misery on the visiting fans and players as in the 93rd minute, Alan Browne was denied the winner by a fine save from Aynsley Pears. A cross from Ali McCann was deflected into the atmosphere by Kyle McFadzean, but as it dropped into the penalty area, Browne rose highest to meet the ball as he nodded it into the ground as it spun towards the right-hand corner, but fine reactions and the outstretched left-hand of Pears kept a point intact for Rovers as the final whistle came a few minutes later to secure a point each for the teams.
From a Rovers perspective, whilst they will of course, be deeply frustrated and disappointed to let a two-goal lead slip in such soft circumstances, they have at least managed to avoid the embarrassment of seeing their neighbours complete the double over them and they have also managed to stop the rot of successive away defeats by picking up a point which could come vital towards the end of the campaign. Whilst Rovers were nowhere near their best in the second-half, they arguably showed great resilience in the second 45 minutes to overcome a physical, battling Preston side on what was a less than ideal pitch to play on. The positives from this game were solely in the striking department as Sammie Szmodics continued his hunt for the Championship golden boot by notching his 18th of the league campaign and his 23rd overall in all competitions. Sam Gallagher also showed his worth amidst questions about his future by notching his second goal and second assist in his last four and his fourth career goal at Deepdale – including one during his loan spell at Birmingham City during 2017-18.
Although they put a point on the board to take them up to 37 points, results elsewhere meant Rovers dropped down to 17th position, but remain on their negative goal-difference of -12, despite no longer having the league’s worst defensive record.
Rovers now have another away trip as they travel to Wales to face Cardiff City on Tuesday 20th February at 7:45pm, before next Saturday sees them host high-flying Norwich City on 24th February at 3pm. Once those two league fixtures are dealt with, attentions turn to the FA Cup Fifth Round as Newcastle United, the BBC and Alan Shearer (hopefully!) descend upon Ewood Park on Tuesday 27th February for the 7:45pm start in a game that has thrown up – and will do in the post-match – many storylines since the balls were pulled out of the hat.
