Blackburn Rovers 1

Last updated on 19 April 202319 April 2023.From the section Championshipcomments324

Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to earn a point at Championship play-off rivals Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Sam Gallagher steered a superb diving header into the bottom corner from Joe Rankin-Costello's floated cross to give Rovers a deserved half-time lead.

The hosts looked to have withheld late pressure until Wilson bundled Gustavo Hamer's corner over the line in the sixth minute of time added on.

The result did little to cement the play-off hopes of two sides stuttering for form, although a third straight draw in a winless five-match run did move Blackburn into sixth, a point above seventh-placed West Brom.

Coventry have now drawn five - and won two - of their past eight games which leaves them eighth, just a point outside the play-off places and firmly in the hunt, but lacking momentum.

The Sky Blues looked set for a first away defeat since 3 February as Blackburn stoutly repelled a string of late corners and the hosts were left fuming by the late, late equaliser, claiming Wilson had handled the ball into the net.

Rovers did not create much before the break, but were good value for their interval lead against a disappointing Coventry side who failed to muster a first-half attempt on goal.

The visitors did react to Mark Robins' half-time team talk, with Hamer firing a long-range effort inches over and then forcing Aynsley Pears into a decent stop after a neat one-two with striker Viktor Gyokeres.

But the hosts could have doubled their lead moments later when Gallagher's shot was blocked and fell to Ryan Hedges, whose goalbound follow-up was deflected wide.

The momentum swung after Gallagher's departure through injury and Robins' decision to bring on an extra striker in Tyler Walker.

Yet the visitors looked to be heading for frustration until the unlikeliest of saviours in the shape of Wilson.

Coventry next host relegation-threatened Reading on Saturday, while Blackburn head to fellow play-off chasers Preston.

Blackburn Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson:

"We are disappointed to draw the game, especially the way we did it, conceding probably the last kick of the game, a situation we should have dealt better with. I don't want to talk about the goal they scored.

"Coventry are a good side, but I think we controlled a big part of the game. First half, we were in good control without creating the biggest chances, but we had the most dangerous moments.

"We scored a brilliant goal and to make this game safe, we should have scored a second goal to win it. But we can look at the results from yesterday and today to see we have plenty to play for.

"But at the end of the day, using the hand with the goal is a tough one. The referee was in a perfect position to see it as well."

Coventry City manager Mark Robins told BBC CWR:

"We started really poorly - the first half was as bad as I've seen. Whether that was [being] fearful, or the circumstances, we've got ourselves in a brilliant position that doesn't come around that often - go and enjoy it, you can't fear it.

"We have to be better, we have to learn from this, but certainly in the second half we were better, we grew into it.

"Aled [Williams, goalkeeping coach] got off the bench and said 'do you want him [Ben Wilson] up for the corner?' and I thought for a split second and just said 'yes' so Ben Wilson gets the credit, Aled gets the credit."

"This is a brilliant challenge now, we've got three games left, can we go and do something? Blackburn have got a game in hand on us so it's against the odds really, but we're in a really strong position."

Formation 4-3-3

Formation 3-5-2

Match ends, Blackburn Rovers 1, Coventry City 1.

Second Half ends, Blackburn Rovers 1, Coventry City 1.

Goal! Blackburn Rovers 1, Coventry City 1. Ben Wilson (Coventry City) with an attempt from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Gustavo Hamer with a cross following a corner.

Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Sorba Thomas.

Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Aynsley Pears tries a through ball, but Ben Brereton is caught offside.

Sorba Thomas (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Josh Wilson-Esbrand (Coventry City).

Foul by Hayden Carter (Blackburn Rovers).

Viktor Gyökeres (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Ryan Hedges (Blackburn Rovers) is shown the yellow card.

Foul by Tyrhys Dolan (Blackburn Rovers).

Fankaty Dabo (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Callum Doyle (Coventry City) is shown the yellow card.

Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Aynsley Pears.

Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Aynsley Pears.

Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Aynsley Pears.

Attempt saved. Gustavo Hamer (Coventry City) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the bottom left corner.

Foul by Sorba Thomas (Blackburn Rovers).

Viktor Gyökeres (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

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