Lucky to be Bjorn

IT'S not often the bookies get it wrong.

But Derby boss Jim Smith could afford to puff on his post-match cigar with smug satisfaction after his Premier League strugglers upset the form book following this bruising encounter at Ewood.

With eight first team regulars missing through injuries, suspensions and international call-ups, the Rams were there to be slaughtered by Graeme Souness's in form promotion chasers.

But, for all their huffing and puffing, Rovers failed to extinguish Smith's interest in this season's FA Cup -- despite bossing this contest from start to finish.

And it was Souness who was left with smoke coming out of his ears after referee Roy Pearson astonishingly denied Rovers a clear penalty in the last 10 minutes when Bjorn Bragstad chopped down Alan Mahon inside the box.

"I thought it was a penalty when I first saw it and now I've seen the video, I still think it was," blasted Souness.

"The Derby defender made no contact with the ball but the referee decided not to give it.

"But that's football for you. You get penalties for much less over the course of a season and this one wasn't to be."

The face of Ewood has changed considerably since Smith cut his managerial teeth with Rovers at the end of the Seventies.

But the bald eagle's desire to succeed remains as strong as ever.

And, despite selection problems and a bout of flu which had seen half his team up the night before with stomach cramps and diarrhoea, he returned to his old stomping ground with a dogged determination not to get beat.

By fair means and foul, Derby dug deep to grind out a result with Argentinian centre back Horacio Carbonari outstanding at the back.

And a relieved Smith couldn't resist flouting Ewood's no-smoking policy with a well-earned Havana after the game.

"We wanted to win, obviously, but we knew the situation in regard to all the players we were missing so I'm just glad to be in the hat," said Smith.

"Six of my lads were up all night with sickness and diarrhoea but my staff didn't tell me until after the game.

"So to come here and get a result in those circumstances is a great achievement.

"Obviously, I'm happier with the result than Graeme.

"But Blackburn are a good side and they've got some great players.

"And, if they can make it into the Premier League at the end of the season, then I think they're equipped to cope with the step up."

Souness had sent his side out under strict instructions to go and prove they are capable of cutting it in the top-flight.

And, though they should have finished the job off at the first time of asking, there was plenty to encourage the Ewood chief that his troops are making strides in the right direction.

With Stig Bjornebye missing through injury, Souness opted for a switch in formation, with Craig Short -- back after a six week absence -- outstanding in a three-man defence.

And the switch seemed to work with young defender Martin Taylor enhancing his growing reputation with another cultured display at the back.

One turn and pass down the left flank in the first half was Baresi-like and, if the 21-year-old continues to develop at his current pace, then Souness could have a major headache on hands in regard to who partners Henning Berg.

In the past, when Rovers have changed to a 3-5-2 instead of their tried and trusted 4-4-2, it's tended to neutralise the attacking flair of Damien Duff.

But the Irishman was instrumental in most of Blackburn's best work here and, with some steadier finishing from his team-mates, next week's replay at Pride Park would have been unnecessary.

Rovers came out with all guns blazing but it was the visitors who fired the opening shot.

Lilian Martin threaded a ball through to Malcolm Christie who gave Short the slip but, as he bore in on goal, he dragged his effort wide of Brad Friedel's post.

Little was seen of County as an attacking force after that, as Rovers went firmly on the offensive.

But Matt Jansen -- who once snubbed Derby as a teenager -- failed to find the killer finish from a couple of inviting positions.

First, Duff picked him out with a brilliant left-wing cross but the England Under 21 striker -- completely unmarked -- lost his bearings and his tame header nearly returned to the Irishman.

Then Duff turned provider again, this time picking out Jansen with a clever through ball, but Bragstad got back to make a great block as the 23-year-old pulled the trigger.

Rovers turned up the pressure after the break as a Duff volley flashed inches wide of the far post.

And it took a well-timed tackle from Carbonari to stop Marcus Bent in his tracks after David Dunn had sent him scampering clear down the left.

Souness sent on Marc Keller, Craig Hignett and Nathan Blake in the last half hour in an effort to pep things up.

And it nearly paid handsome dividends as Keller swivelled on the edge of the box but his goalbound snapshot was superbly turned aside by the outstretched hand of Mart Poom.

In a frantic finale, Rovers should have had a penalty when Mahon swapped passes with Blake in the 80th minute but, as the Irishman burst into the box, he was hacked down by Bragstad.

Mr Pearson wasn't interested, however, much to Souness's annoyance as Smith and Co lived to fight another day.