Blackburn Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers. Sky Bet Championship.
Ewood ParkAttendance14,632.
Friday 28 August 2015 22:40, UK
Struggling Blackburn and Bolton both remain winless in the Sky Bet Championship this season following a goalless draw at Ewood Park on Friday night.
The two clubs' respective poor form had already made this derby a crunch clash, but it took on added significance for Rovers manager Gary Bowyer, whose position had come under increasing scrutiny following a report he had been sacked last Saturday.
Bowyer had lived on, though, but a defeat might have heaped further pressure on him.
As it was, neither side could break the deadlock in a scrappy contest that featured eight yellow cards and one red - Dorian Dervite being dismissed in stoppage time - with Rovers substitute Fode Koita missing from six yards and Bolton replacement Emile Heskey seeing his effort cleared off the line by Shane Duffy.
Duffy's first notable act had been at the other end when he flicked a Tommy Spurr free-kick over the top as Rovers threatened from set-piece situations.
Jordan Rhodes was making his first start in three games following an ankle problem and that was tested just eight minutes in when Dean Moxey clattered into him with an over-the-top challenge that earned the Bolton defender a caution.
Bolton, who ended their near 11-hour goal drought in the dying stages of their 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, felt they should have had at least one spot-kick here.
First, Zach Clough wriggled behind Duffy and tripped over an outstretched leg, but with no real protest from the 20-year-old, who got back to his feet instantly to retrieve the ball, referee Paul Tierney showed no interest.
And he was unmoved again moments later as Mark Davies appeared to try and earn a foul off Craig Conway as the Rovers winger pulled out of a challenge.
For the most part it was clear to see why these two sides were toiling at the wrong end of the table with four goals and as many points between them from a combined eight games.
In Rhodes Blackburn do have at least have a recognised poacher, but his rustiness was evident when he nodded a pair of crosses off target.
An unmarked Duffy headed over from a set piece at the start of the second period but clear-cut chances were eluding both teams in a contest which was becoming increasingly tetchy, typified by Grant Hanley's lunge from behind on Wellington Silva which only earned a yellow card for the Rovers skipper.
Blackburn's best opportunities continued to come from crosses and Koita spurned a glorious chance to put his side ahead in the 70th minute.
Spurr's back-post header was cleared off the line by Davies and came straight to summer signing Koita, who wildly lashed a left-footed effort wide from six yards when a degree of composure was needed.
Wanderers boss Neil Lennon turned to Heskey with 11 minutes to go, the ex-England international often proving Blackburn's scourge down the years.
But he was denied a 14th career goal against the east Lancashire club by Duffy's intervention after David Raya had pushed a driven cross straight into the 37-year-old's path.
Dervite was then sent off in stoppage-time for two yellow cards when he flattening Modou Barrow on the touchline as a mundane affair drew to a close.
