Blackburn Rovers 0 - 0 Stoke City

Share of the spoils at Ewood

Updated: November 28, 2009, 8:09 AM UK

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce stayed away once more after having treatment on a heart complaint and his side failed to deliver in his absence.

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• Praise for goalkeeper Robinson

Rovers were hoping to chalk up a fifth successive home win in the league and give Allardyce a boost in the process.

Instead, with assistant Neil McDonald in charge, they had to settle for a point against a Stoke side that continue to improve.

After a bright start, Blackburn faded and looked lethargic following the defeat by Fulham in midweek.

Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen had to look alert in the seventh minute and did well to block a shot from Franco Di Santo after Keith Andrews had created the opening.

But that was as good as it got for Blackburn in the first half.

The visitors hit back and three minutes later Dean Whitehead tested Paul Robinson following a swift counter-attack.

Whitehead should have given his side the lead in the 20th minute after being released by Ricardo Fuller but failed to get enough power on his effort and Robinson pushed it away.

It was an open game and David Dunn swung in a corner four minutes later. Di Santo peeled away from his marker but failed to get a decent connection on his header.

Blackburn were forced to make a change in the 32nd minute when Dunn limped off and was replaced by Roberts.

Dunn had been in good form with six goals this season so his premature exit was a blow for the home side.

However, it did mean Di Santo would have Roberts for company instead of playing as lone striker.

Blackburn were then grateful to Robinson for keeping the scores level in the 39th minute as the defence was caught on the hop following a quick break.

He made a marvellous point-blank save from Liam Lawrence after Mamady Sidibe had delivered a cross from the right.

Lawrence was left holding his head in disbelief following the goalkeeper's block.

Stoke were beginning to find their rhythm and looking dangerous on the counter-attack. They were content to defend deep and in numbers to frustrate the home side.

Andy Wilkinson then got goal side of Gael Givet in the 53rd minute only to find the side netting with his effort.

A minute later Blackburn almost took the lead when skipper Ryan Nelsen fired in an overhead kick but Sorensen managed to push it away at the last minute.

The home side stepped up the pressure and Sorensen was beaten in the 56th minute but Steven Nzonzi's shot cannoned off the post.

Back came Stoke and Fuller worked his way into the penalty area six minutes later.

He set up Whitehead in front of the posts only for the midfielder to lose his footing at the vital moment and the chance went begging.

Emerton then cracked a shot wide from 25 yards in the 72nd minute before play switched back down the other end.

Fuller showed good skill to carve out an opening three minutes later, only for substitute James Beattie to hoist his effort over the bar.

Then Chris Samba headed wide in stoppage time for Blackburn following a cross from substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen as the match ended in stalemate.

However this was another good performance on the road for Stoke, who are on course to preserving their status again in the top flight.

Praise for goalkeeper Robinson

Blackburn assistant Neil McDonald praised goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who showed England form by first denying Dean Whitehead and then making a superb block from Liam Lawrence.

McDonald said: "Paul worked hard in the summer and since Sam came here. He deserves every credit and made a couple a great saves.

"Mind you I cannot remember him making one in the second half as we worked their goalkeeper a lot more. Paul is doing everything we have asked him to do. He is happy with his form but knows he can do better on certain things.

"If he gets called up (for England) then so be it. But at least he is in good form for us.''

The result ended a run of four successive home wins in the league and McDonald added: "It was a hard fought game and a draw was a fair result. We almost pinched it in the end but Stoke play to their strengths and are good defensively among other things.''

Of Sam Allardyce, McDonald said: "I believe Sam was discharged this afternoon and I imagine he is resting at home. I am told he is on schedule for next week as expected and hopefully we will see him then.''

Stoke manager Tony Pulis intends to take James Beattie out of the firing line for a spell so he can get him back to full fitness.

Pulis said: "We have kept it quiet but Beattie has been playing with injuries to his ankle and his knee. Now we have Mamady back we can give Beattie a bit of a break and get him fit. He has been playing because we have been a little bit short.

"As for Dean , he has probably had his best game for us and missed two glorious chances.''

Centre-back Ryan Shawcross suffered a groin strain in the game. Overall Pulis was delighted at their progress.

He said: "We are better this year than last. To have 20 points from 14 games is first class for us. We've had only 18 months in the Premier League and you get built up. People get carried away with things but we need three years in the Premier League for a proper foundation to push the club forward.

"It has got to be step by step. We will keep our feet on the ground. The good thing at the moment is the amount of points we are gathering away from home.''