Leeds United Reserves 1 Blackburn Rovers Reserves 1

GOALKEEPER Alan Miller made his first appearance for Rovers last night as Ian Miller's men earned a battling point at Elland Road.

The former West Brom stopper recovered from conceding a goal after just two minutes to pull off a couple of top saves to earn Rovers a vital away point.

And there were also encouraging performances for Craig Short and Billy McKinlay, who both continued their comebacks after injury.

United made a dream start when Scotland international David Hopkin latched onto a pass from Darren Huckerby before coolly chipping Miller as the Rovers defence appealed for offside.

But the visitors stepped up a gear after that early set-back as Burton O'Bien and Ben Burgess both fired narrowly wide within the space of a minute midway through the half.

However, only a sharp save from Miller prevented Rovers from falling further behind just before the break, as he denied Simon Watson with an outstretched leg.

But, as the visitors stepped up the pressure after the interval, the equaliser duly arrived with 30 minutes remaining when defender Short latched onto a right-wing corner and crashed a fierce 15-yard drive past the keeper and in off the crossbar.

Both sides then had chances to win it in the dying minutes.

First, James Thomas dragged a shot agonisingly wide of the far post.

Then, Huckerby crossed for Lee Matthews but he headed tamely at Miller from a great position.

ROVERS: Miller, McNamee (Dunning 82), O'Brien, Short, Richardson, Taylor, Baldacchino, McKinlay (Hawe 46), Forsyth, Thomas, Burgess. Subs not used: Bingham, Hamilton, Howson.

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