NORWICH boss Bruce Rioch was stunned by the award of five minutes of stoppage time at Ewood last night - and bitterly disappointed when it cost them Per Frandsen's dramatic equaliser for Blackburn Rovers.

To most of the crowd, it seemed that Norwich, and particularly keeper Andy Marshall, had been wasting time throughout the second half.

But Rioch declared after speaking to the officials: "The referee didn't mention time-wasting."

So what explanation was on offer? "Not one I liked," said the manager rather mysteriously.

"We were just trying to find out where the five minutes had come from, because we couldn't find any injuries on the pitch.

"I think Blackburn were delighted but we are pretty disappointed. Five minutes!

"We had to have an attitude that was positive and we did.

"I suppose, from Blackburn's side, they put a lot of balls into our box.

"But we played on the counter attack and should have had a second goal at some stage in the second half.

"That would have put the game beyond them. But I am delighted with our lads. They were fantastic."

Rovers boss Tony Parkes had no qualms about the 'overtime' but he rarely, if ever, points the finger at referees - either way.

"I was glad to see it (five minutes) and I know the goalkeeper had been wasting a lot of time during the game," he said.

"Bruce Rioch is going to complain and I am going to be delighted. But I am sure the referee has his reasons for it."

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