ROVERS dug deep to grind out another impressive point against Chelsea in this keenly fought contest at the Bridge.

A brilliant rearguard action from Graeme Souness's men left Blues fans frustrated after the Premiership's draw specialists were forced to settle for a point.

Rovers had dominated the opening half only for Chelsea to fightback strongly after the break following the introduction of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Sam Dalla Bona as half-time substitutes.

However, Brad Friedel and his defence were in inspired form and few could deny Rovers a share of the spoils on the final whistle.

Friedel saved from Dalla Bona, Gudjohnsen and Mario Stanic as the home side turned up the heat in a 20-minute spell after the interval.

But Rovers could have pinched a winner themselves when a David Dunn free kick flashed inches wide of the post in a rare break by the visitors.

In a frantic finale, the Blues threw everything forward in search of a winner but the Rovers defence stood firm , even when Henning Berg limped off late on with a foot injury.

Such was the home fans frustration the Blues were booed off at the end having drawn for the eighth time in 11 Premiershipo matches.

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Curtis, Tugay, Berg, Bjornebye, Short, Dunn, Jansen, Duff, Mahon, Gillespie. Subs: Filan, Hughes (for Mahon, 60), Johansson (Berg, 83) Hignett, Taylor

CHELSEA: Cudinci, Lampard, Hasselbaink, Zenden, Stanic, Gallas, Le Saux, Melchiot, Petit, Zola, Terry. Subs: De Goey, Babayaro, Gudjohnsen (for Zola, 46), Dalla Bona (for Zenden, 46), Forssell

Referee: Graham Poll