McDonald pleased with point

Assistant boss Neil McDonald was pleased to have notched another point after Blackburn drew 0-0 with Stoke at Ewood Park.

Goalkeepers Paul Robinson and Thomas Sorensen were in fine form and produced several good saves to ensure the game stayed goalless.

Blackburn came closest to breaking the deadlock when Steven N'Zonzi's shot hit the post, while Christopher Samba could have won it in stoppage time but headed wide.

The draw means Rovers have taken four points from the three games without boss Sam Allardyce, who is presently recovering from heart surgery.

McDonald told Sky Sports: "It was a well-fought nil-nil draw to be fair. I thought we had a couple of good chances first half where their goalkeeper has made two fantastic saves.

"And we forced the pace in the second half and almost won it in the end."

Difficult

He added: "It was always going to be difficult to try and break them down - they do get into a good formation of two banks of four but we have got crosses in and as I say, we forced the pace in the second half considering that we played during the week against Fulham.

"The lads gave it 100 per cent which is very, very pleasing."

Despite Blackburn's failure to take chances, McDonald did not think it was two points lost.

"It's definitely a point gained, that's for sure. A tough encounter against Stoke who are a very, very hard team to beat," he said.

"So if we can't score we've got to keep a clean sheet and that's what we've done today."

McDonald believed it had been a tough week but he was pleased with how the players had acquitted themselves.

He said: "We've had the derby game (against Bolton) on the Sunday, we've travelled down to Fulham, got back late at night after the disappointment of losing 3-0.

Best shot

"But the boys have stuck at it, they've given it their best shot and we've come out with a point which is great."

He confirmed boss Allardyce should be back in the dugout next week.

"Yes I'm almost sure - I think the operation went according to plan and I've been told that he'll be here next week so that's great."

Allardyce has been planning the tactics and formations which his staff have implemented and McDonald was pleased with the points return.

He added: "We've just got to implement whatever he wants and we've done that and thankfully we've taken four points out of the three games which is a good return considering he is not here."