Premiership fate dangles by a thread after dire draw

BRIAN Kidd often talks about a "price to pay" in the context of injuries and players turning out when they are not really fit.

But Blackburn Rovers could well be about to pay another kind of heavy price - for four years, not four months, of presiding over a costly transformation.

The Rolls Royce that powered its way to the championship in 1995 has turned into a Ford Escort spluttering along the road to relegation.

And the ultimate irony is that, depending on this Saturday's results, Manchester United could be the team to condemn Rovers and Kidd to the Nationwide League.

Now that really is a sobering thought.

So too is the fact that Rovers and their supporters understandably felt cheated as they streamed out of The Valley.

United and Rovers have a recent history of controversial refereeing decisions but none have been more blatant than the 81st minute on Saturday as Charlton keeper Andy Petterson bludgeoned Ashley Ward to the ground and, incredibly, got away with it.

Referee Gary Willard, in my opinion, 'bottled' the decision and Rovers' Premiership fate now dangles by a thread.

The official had done well to handle a difficult game, riddled with tension, apprehension and lunging challenges. But his late blunder could well have been decisive and it was almost beyond belief why he failed to give a penalty and show the red card. Little wonder it sparked a moment of trouble among the crowd with one Rovers fan wrestled out by an army of stewards.

There were signs of desperation all around The Valley, in an incredible atmosphere even though most of the football was dire with so many unforced errors you might have wondered if a Far East betting syndicate had been at work. Rovers will look back in anger at the penalty decision but they might not have needed it if they had been able to make their superiority count earlier.

Charlton will go down.

But Rovers are in dire straits too. They knew they dare not lose this game but there was still the fear, Southampton might sneak up on the blind side.

It really was desperate stuff.

You could see it in the fans, every nervous twitch signalling a chance missed or a threat survived.

Faces were grey, drawn and echoing the agony of the relegation struggle.

The players were the same. Though there were exceptions.

John Filan and Stephane Henchoz were cool when it counted, so was Lee Carsley at the heart of midfield. When the going got tough, well you know the rest.

And Ward fought manfully in a jarring confrontation with Carl Tiler which saw both booked and led to the defender being reported by the referee for allegedly striking the Rovers man after the final whistle.

What a pity the 'eagle-eyed' official was not as observant during the game.

There is no doubt Rovers created the better chances and how they would have welcomed an early goal against a Charlton side who have failed to score against them in three matches this season.

They could have had it too but Keith Gillespie's aim was not quite straight enough as he rifled the ball inches past a post amid chaos in the home defensive ranks. Apart from three decent crosses from the right, and a Danny Mills shot comfortably saved, Charlton did not threaten Filan's goal on too many occasions in the first half.

There were other opportunities, however, against a vulnerable home team, notably for Gillespie.

Keeper Simon Royce had picked up an early injury and he didn't exactly inspire confidence as both Gillespie and Kevin Gallacher were close to cashing in on blunders.

Three minutes before half time came the first of three crucial moments.

Gillespie swung over a right-wing corner, Jason Wilcox charged in to meet it and, somehow, Martin Pringle headed it against the underside of the bar and out.

Alan Curbishley clearly had a few words at the interval and Rovers were pushed back for a spell.

Pringle had two chances by the post, his first shot being blocked by Carsley the second pulled wide. Then Neil Redfearn brought a save from Filan and, after just 15 minutes of the half, Charlton had put in twice as many goal attempts as the miserly two they managed in the entire first half.

But, just before that save, came another watershed.

The home defence suddenly opened up to see Callum Davidson race into the penalty area. His shot was good but Petterson was equal to it.

Jason McAteer seized on the rebound only for his fiercely-struck shot to hit a defender. And, as the atmosphere hit fever pitch, there was yet more agonising to come.

First Filan did well to get down and save from Pringle and sub Steve Jones on the line before the real moment of truth.

Tiler's poor header back to his keeper from near the touchline sent Ward in hot pursuit. He nicked the ball over the diving keeper but Petterson kept on coming and blatantly took him out.

Referee Willard did nothing except seal his place in the George Courtney, Gerald Ashby etc Hall of Fame. And he can expect a sackload of Christmas cards - postmarked Southampton.

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