ROVERS RES 1

NEWCASTLE RES 1

BLACKBURN Rovers' reserves missed a golden chance to close the gap on the leaders at the top of the Barclays Premiership Reserve League (north) after they could only pick up a point against Newcastle United.

Glyn Hodges' side never threatened to hit top gear against the Magpies and they had to come from a goal down to finally claim a share of the spoils courtesy of Jerome Watt's equaliser.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes was in the crowd at Morecambe's Christie Park to cast his eye over Jonathan Stead, who started up front, but the former Huddersfield man failed to shine and was eventually withdrawn at half-time.

In a game of few chances, the visitors made the brighter start and might have scored inside the first minute, but James Milner dragged his effort wide.

Rovers hit back when Watt's clever pass released Matt Derbyshire only for the young forward to scuff his shot wide.

Another promising opportunity went begging midway through the half when Stead rose to meet Alan Morgan's cross but the striker's header sailed well over.

That miss proved costly for Rovers as United took the lead barely a minute later.

Marc Walton found space in midfield to slip a pass through to Charles N'Zogbia and the young forward showed great composure to bury a low shot past Peter Enckelman.

But Newcastle's joy was shortlived as Rovers equalised eight minutes later.

Jonathon Douglas found Watt with an incisive forward ball and the speedy midfielder beat goalkeeper Tony Caig with a precise finish.

Stead had a chance to put Rovers in front shortly before the break but he fired a shot into the side-netting and that proved to be his last meaningful contribution as he was replaced by Jemal Johnson at half-time.

Both sides struggled to find a route to goal in the second half.

Watt and Andy Taylor both went close for Rovers, and N'Zogbia had a late opportunity for the Magpies, before Caig then saved from Derbyshire in the dying seconds to earn his side a point.

Rovers: Enckelman, Peers, Barr, McEveley (L Jones, 75), Morgan, Watt, Donnelly, Douglas, Taylor, Stead (Johnson, 46), Derbyshire. Subs not used: Drench, Stopforth, Byrom.