Cole opens the scoring for Rovers

ROVERS FINISHED the season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Birmingham City but the result could still cost the club a million in revenue.

Portsmouth's 5-1 win over Middlesbrough coupled with Tottenham's victory over Wolves meant Stern John's late headed equaliser consigned Rovers to a two place drop.

However, Rovers form in recent weeks has been impressive, thirteen points from eighteen, and the players showed their appreciation after the game for the exceptional support they have consistently received throughout a difficult season.

Andy Cole's goal looked to have signed his side off for the summer with a win but substitute John, just as he did last year, rose at the back post to head beyond Peter Enckelman's despairing dive and secure a point.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness made one change from the side that fell 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, Steven Reid replacing Lucas Neill at right back and goalkeeper Peter Enckelman made his first home appearance for goalkeeper Peter Enckelman. 

Ex-Ewood star David Dunn was denied the chance to turn out against his old club through injury but the visiting line-up was not devoid of familiar faces, Martin Taylor and Damien Johnson both included in the starting eleven.

And to be frank, it was the Blues who started the brightest, keeping possession of the ball in midfield and taking the game to Rovers.

Despite that the first chance did not arrive for 11 minutes, Birmingham top goalscorer Mikael Forssell heading well wide under pressure from Nils-Eric Johansson.

The Finn went much closer shortly after, taking a pass from Johnson after a sprightly break and curling a shot which Enckelman did well to turn round the post.

However, Rovers it was who took the lead in the 24th minute with their first display of attacking intent.

Tugay's inventive pass picked out Cole whose quick turn surprised Matthew Upson. The England defender tried to recover, but only succeeding in delaying Cole's shot as he coolly stroked past Maik Taylor.

Birmingham spurned two decent opportunities to equalise in quick succession, first Jamie Clapham firing a low centre across goal that missed everybody and then Stan Lazaridis nipped to the byline, whipped in a cross, but Clinton Morrison headed against the crossbar.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Stead showed some wonderful skill to embarrass Martin Taylor, beating him down the right with a clever backheel and his terrific cross needed only a touch to increase the lead.

On 38 minutes, Birmingham should have levelled matters, Reid carelessly squandering possession and finding Johnson racing through but out came Enckelman to make a tremendous block with his legs and further endear himself to the home fans.

Ewood Park was then amused by the sight of Craig Short clattering unintentionally into referee Dermot Gallagher, the latter falling to the ground but taking the incident with good humour.

A minute before the break, Cole slipped in skipper Garry Flitcroft to have a shot saved onto the post but he was flagged offside.

Souness made two changes at the break, sending on Australian duo Brett Emerton and Lucas Neill in place of Reid and Martin Andresen.

The substitutions appeared to work as Rovers were on the attack straight away and, but for some superb saves from Taylor, could have sewn the game up.

First to try his luck was Michael Gray, sending in a rip-roaring right footer that Taylor turned over the top.

Then, Cole wriggled onto Johansson's long ball and unleashing a surprise low drive that the Northern Irish keeper almost let squirm from his grasp.

With Rovers swarming all over Birmingham, Tugay went for a curler from outside the box, obviously inspired by picking up the Goal of the Season for his strike in the equivalent fixture at St. Andrews' but Taylor pushed away spectacularly.

Stead could have put a final flourish on a dream start to his Premiership career, only to drag well wide when well placed.

At the other end it needed a great tackle from Flitcroft to stop Forssell getting a shot in but the captain should have done much better when Cole presented him with a shooting chance, spooning high into the crowd.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce also rang the changes, Brian Hughes and John on for Stephen Clemence and Olivier Tebily and the Blues began to get some possession again.

But, Cole and Stead linked up well in the 67th minute, Stead's effort being well blocked by Taylor, another sign of the potency of their partnership.

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be Rovers day as, despite Cole's tracking back with Johnson down the right, the ex-Ewood winger swung over a cross, John met with a simple header and with just seven minutes left the game seemed settled.

Even so, Rovers could have gone on and won, man-of-the-match Cole cheekily nutmegging Robbie Savage and lashing inches beyond the far post.

In a sun-bathed Ewood Park, the players said thank you to the supporters before disappearing down the tunnel until next season. Here's to a summer's rest before coming back in August to cheer on the lads all over again!

Rovers: Enckelman, Reid (Neill 46), Short, Johansson, Gray (Gallagher 87), Andresen (Emerton 46), Tugay, Flitcroft, Douglas, Cole, Stead. Subs not used: Yelldell, Jansen.

Birmingham City: Maik Taylor, Savage, Forssell, Lazaridis, Martin Taylor, Morrison, Johnson, Clapham, Upson, Tebily (John 60), Clemence (Hughes 57). Subs not used: Bennett, Cunningham, Cisse.

Discuss the game on our messageboard, click here.