ROVERS had to settle for a share of the points in an absorbing contest at Ewood Park.

After a bright opening it was the home side who grabbed the first goal, Roque Santa Cruz netting his 20th goal of the campaign in the 21st minute, capitalising on an error from Rio Ferdinand to steer the ball into the back of the net and to potentially throw the league wide open.

The champions-elect struggled to gain any foothold in the game until the final 20 minutes, Rovers defending stoutly to keep United at bay with Brad Friedel having to be at his best to twice deny Wayne Rooney, a dramatic stop on the line from Tevez and a point-blank save from John O'Shea.

But two minutes from time the pressure eventually told when Nani's corner kick was first headed on by Paul Scholes before Carlos Tevez pounced to head home from five yards out.

There was to be no further late drama, the point not enough for Rovers and their chase for a European place, but for the visitors that valuable point takes United a step closer to the title.

After last week's poor showing at Anfield against Liverpool it was perhaps surprising that Mark Hughes named an unchanged line-up for the game. Jason Roberts, who had been a doubt for the match with a groin injury, past a fitness test and started for the home side.

Hughes may not have tinkered with his starting eleven, but he certainly did with the formation from the start, Steven Reid and Brett Emerton swapping positions with the Republic of International operating at right back. Further forward meant further surprises as Roque Santa Cruz operated on the right, David Bentley in a free role behind Jason Roberts.

And it was Roberts who had the first chance of the game on six minutes when a ball into the area ran for Santa Cruz, his shot bobbled towards goal, Roberts pounced on the loose ball but Tomasz Kuszczak, in for the injured Edwin van der Sar, got a vital boot to the ball to clear the danger with Roberts appealing in vain for a penalty.

United hit back almost straight away, Cristiano Ronaldo having an effort at goal that was comfortably dealt with by Friedel, whilst Chris Samba got those long legs of his to cut out a dangerous centre from Wayne Rooney.

Despite the swirling conditions, both sides looked to attack at every opportunity, Bentley's growing influence on the game with a roaming role saw the ball shifted to Warnock on the overlap, Santa Cruz met his centre but couldn't get enough power on his header.

But Roque Santa Cruz didn't have long to wait for another chance, and this time he didn't waste the opportunity. A 21st minute throw into the area from Morten Gamst Pedersen was headed by Vidic but the ball rebounded off the heel of Rio Ferdinand and straight into the path of Santa Cruz, the Paraguayan hitman needed to second invitation as he lashed home from 12 yards to give Rovers the lead and Santa Cruz's 20th of a sensational debut season.

Then on the half hour a surging run from David Bentley was equalled by his swerving effort at goal, Kuszczak doing well to push the ball over the bar.

Cristiano was kept relatively quiet by his standards, but he still managed to threaten with a free-kick from the corner of the area, Friedel diving to save, then just before the break a centre from Giggs found the Portuguese international but Friedel was alert to push the ball away.

Obviously unimpressed with their first half showing, Sir Alex Ferguson threw on Nani for the ineffective Ryan Giggs at the start of the second half to increase the visitor's attacking option.

The second half started slowly, both sides enjoying plenty of possession without creating anything of note. It took until the 65th minute for either side to threaten, and that was in the form of the in-form Cristiano Ronaldo, lashing a left-footed effort across goal, the ball bounced off the far post with Friedel perhaps getting vital fingertips to the ball.

Rovers went straight up the other end with a chance of their own, Stephen Warnock's deep cross found Santa Cruz at the back post but he couldn't direct his attempt on target.

Then on 74 minutes a brilliant run into the area from Pedersen merited more but he lashed his shot straight across goal with Nelsen inches away from converting at the back post.

As the half wore on the visitors gained more and more ground, with Rovers having to be alert. Chris Samba and Ryan Nelsen both making vital headers to quash threatening moves.

The red tide continued to flow towards Friedel's goal, Friedel saved at the near post from Rooney, then made an amazing stop on the line as Tevez threatened.

But it was Friedel's save when Nani threaded the ball through to Rooney that was the pick of the bunch, the England man was through on goal but Ewood favourite Friedel pushed his effort away.

On 87 minutes Friedel again was called upon, a ball into the area sparked a scramble, John O'Shea firing at goal from two yards out but again Friedel pushed the ball aside. The ball was ruled to have gone for a corner, however Tevez looked to have got the final touch before it crossed the line.

And that incorrect decision proved to be pivotal as Nani sent over the corner from the left, Paul Scholes flicked on and Carlos Tevez was there to head high into the corner of the net from five yards out.

The league leaders sniffed the chance of a dramatic late winner, especially as four additional minutes was shown, but there was to be no late drama, both sides had to settle for a point a-piece.

Whilst the tactics from Mark Hughes at kick-off will have undoubtedly raised a few eyebrows, in the end they almost earned three points, almost.

ROVERS: Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen (c), Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Vogel (sub Mokoena 86 mins), Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts.

Subs not used: Brown (GK), Ooijer, McCarthy, Dunn

MAN UTD: Kuszczak, Evra, Ferdinand, Brown (sub O'Shea 81 mins), Ronaldo, Rooney (sub Park 90 mins), Giggs (c) (sub Nani 46 mins), Vidic, Carrick, Scholes, Tevez.

Subs not used: Foster (GK), Pique.

Booked: Reid (Rovers), Rooney (Manchester United)

Attendance: 30,316