Blackburn Rovers surrendered their 100 per cent home record but earned a deserved point after a 0-0 draw with West Brom.

John Eustace's side more than matched the much-fancied Baggies and recorded a fourth successive clean sheet at Ewood Park. The last time they managed that was March 2023.

Most of the game's big chances fell to the wrong men, with the three best opportunities landing at the feet of full-backs. 

Joe Rankin-Costello had two and fizzed both wide either side of openings for the Baggies. The first was a shot from range after the ball was half-clared but it went just wide.

Darnell Furlong then ran through the defence on a deep free-kick but dragged his effort past the far post. It was then Torbjorn Heggem's turn as he was put through but he curled his shot wide of the post on his weaker side.

Rankin-Costello would then turn and fire just wide inside the box himself which was the last of the real clear-cut opening.

Rovers had the better of the second half but couldn't carve open a stubborn defence. West Brom grew into the half and ended the stronger with Jayson Molumby's effort the best they could muster.

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West Brom arrived at Ewood Park with an identical record to Rovers with only goal difference separating the sides. Whilst Eustace was right to point out the dangers of their previous opponents, this was a clear step up in opposition.

It would be a surprise if the Baggies didn't earn a top-six berth come May, at the very least, and so this was a good marker to gauge where Rovers levels are at. 

Carlos Corberan's side came in winless in four despite a fast start, pegged back in stoppage time at Oxford United at the weekend. They had never gone five without a victory under the Spaniard, who is approaching two years at the helm.

Changing a winning team is never easy but with so many games coming thick and fast in this period, Eustace had to have one mind on fixture congestion. This was the second of six in a three-week period.

In the end, it was just a solitary switch, Yuki Ohashi for Makhtar Gueye up front. That meant back-to-back starts for Todd Cantwell for the first time since signing for Rovers. Similarly, it was the first time Ryan Hedges had been risked for a midweek game in some time.

The first 20 minutes were a cagey affair, like two boxers just trying to feel each other out. If the league table hadn't already spelt it out, this game was going to be tight and defined by the smallest margins.

Todd Cantwell was at the heart of Rovers' best work, often when he drifted from the left into central areas to link on the right. His nice one-two with Hedges was a signal of intent, though his shot was comfortably saved by Palmer.

All of the first half's best chances fell to full-backs. Cantwell this time went to the line on the left to produce a dangerous cross. That was dealt with but the ball fell to Rankin-Costello who hit a fizzing shot just wide.

It was the recently restored right-back and Hedges who were causing the most danger with clever link-up down that side. But West Brom responded with two big chances of their own to take the lead.

Rovers switched off from a deep free-kick and Furlong ran through and past the defence, got to the ball before the defender but dragged his shot wide of the post. A let-off.

The next one fell to the left-back, Heggem, who was sprung behind the defence by Josh Maja but curled his shot just wide inside the box, on his weaker foot.

Hayden Carter picked up a concerning-looking injury in that attack and was forced off, replaced by Danny Batth. The defender couldn't put much weight on his right leg as he left the pitch, raising concern.

Rovers ended the half with the last chance though and again it was link-up down the right. Cantwell punched a pass into the feet of Rankin-Costello, who turned in the box and fired a shot just wide of the far post.

The second half followed the pattern of the first but Rovers looked the most likely scorers. Roared on by the Blackburn End, there was a growing feeling that this game was there to be won.

Some of them were on their feet when Ohashi brought down a lobbed ball over the top but his shot deceived the crowd as it hit the side netting. 

It was one-way traffic, even if Palmer remained relatively unworked. But Rovers still had to stay switched on at the back and were given a scare when Darnell Furlong went down under a challenge from Cantwell in the box. Referee John Busby was unmoved.

Rovers' pressing was consistently causing West Brom problems. They again nicked the ball in midfield and drove up the pitch with Weimann finding Dolan but he didn't get enough behind the shot to really trouble Palmer.

West Brom wrestled back some of the initiative as the half wore on and were on top entering the final 10 minutes. Aynsley Pears had to be alert to push away Karlan Grant's shot from range.

The Rovers goalkeeper ended the game the busier as he showed good reflexes to deny Molumby's close-range strike. That proved to be the final piece of the action.

It means Rovers no longer boast a perfect home record but they will be pleased at the levels they showed for 90 minutes. They really tested a team that are well-fancied for a top-six finish and that is not a bad level to be at.

It's a quick turnaround before they kick-off early at Vicarage Road on Saturday. That will be another big test for the squad as they seek a first away win of the season.