Aid keeps Rovers in dire need

TONY MOWBRAY believes that the relegation fight will go to the final game after seeing Aiden McGeady deny his Blackburn side three points.

Rovers were on course for a crucial win after strikes either side of the break from Elliott Bennett and Craig Conway cancelled out a well-taken opener from Preston hot-shot Tom Barkhuizen.

Mowbray is refusing to hit the panic button but admitted his side may need a rub of the green now to avoid the drop.

“It will go right down to the death, I am pretty sure,” he said. “It is just frustrating that in seven games we have five draws and that is too many. But we have to take positives.”

Despite not having tasted defeat in their seven games since Mowbray took over, Rovers have made it tough for themselves. His team have been making a habit of conceding first-half goals recently and for the fourth game running they did it again – this time it was Barkhuizen who delivered the early blow after 12 minutes. But Rovers turned up the heat and the pressure told on 43 minutes when Bennett worked himself a yard of space before unleashing a 30-yard thunderbolt.

It was more of the same after the break as both sides continued to create chances to score and Conway gave the home side the lead 10 minutes after the restart. The winger ended a lovely flowing move with a cool finish to bag his second goal in as many games.

The visitors ended the match strongly and Paul Huntington thought he had earned the draw only to be ruled offside.

But the relief of the home fans was short-lived as McGeady (above) swept home his fifth of the season to keep alive the visitors’ slim play-off hopes.

North End boss Simon Grayson said: “Blackburn will probably feel hard done by, but this feels like a win for us.” Possession Shots On Target Shots Off Target Blocked Shots Corners Fouls Conceded Offsides Yellow Cards Red Cards 57% 43% 3 4 7 7 1 4 3 5 8 10 2 1 1 2 0 0