BLACKBURN Rovers have slipped back into the Premier League relegation zone after a stalemate at home to Everton tonight.

Rovers were unable to break the deadlock at Ewood Park and have dropped a place to 18th following Stoke City's 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers.

The best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Everton's Steven Pienaar but Rovers keeper Jason Brown produced a fine save to keep out the South African's 15-yard drive.

Brown also saved a tamer effort from Jo in the closing stages of the half.

Sam Allardyce brought on Tugay for Vince Grella at half time and Roque Santa Cruz might have put Rovers ahead when he stabbed wide from Stephen Warnock's lay-off.

Tim Cahill directed a header straight at Brown at the other end before Rovers lost Gael Givet to injury.

Jason Roberts then saw his shot stopped by the feet of Tim Howard when clear on goal, while Joleon Lescott hooked the ball over the bar in a late Everton attack.

Rovers: Jason Brown, Andre Ooijer, Ryan Nelsen, Chris Samba, Gael Givet (Aaron Mokoena 65), Keith Andrews, Vince Grella (Tugay 46), Stephen Warnock, Roque Santa Cruz, Jason Roberts, El-Hadji Diouf (Keith Treacy 88). Subs not used: Mark Bunn, Danny Simpson, David Dunn, Benni McCarthy.

Everton: Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo, Joleon Lescott, Leighton Baines, Leon Osman, Jack Rodwell (Louis Saha 72), Phil Neville, Steven Pienaar, Jo (Marouane Fellaini 78), Tim Cahill. Subs not used: Carlo Nash, Lars Jacobsen, Segundo Castillo, Andy van der Meyde, Dan Gosling.

Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

Attendance: 21,445.