Here we go again. Another dispiriting away result that saw us avoid defeat, but once again prove that we're unable to hold a one goal lead or build on it - the mark of a decent side.

In truth though, Rovers could have been out of sight well before Friedel's instinctive stop from point-blank range ensured that the opening 45 minutes remained scoreless. On that basis, we did well to leave here with a point, after looking as inept in the early stages as we did last season when we ultimately lost 5-2 after being two goals and one man down in 8 minutes.

Lacking Woodgate, our defence had suffered from attacks of the jitters every time the home side came forward, with both full backs time and again facing two men bearing down on Given's goal as Blackburn attempted to blow away memories of their fitful home form this season.

Worryingly though, for a manager who was able to field what looks like his first XI minus Woodgate, United's midfield had both a soft centre and clipped wings. That meant that Rovers were able to push on with little hindrance and when they lost the ball were only ever a stray pass or a non-tackle from regaining their momentum.

At times Speed appeared to be trying to stem the tide single-handedly with the minimum of assistance, further handicapped by a bemusing series of decisions given by the hapless Messias and his myopic flag wavers that added to the feeling that the world was against us - had one of a couple of reasonable chances for us  gone in at that stage, no doubt some infringement would have been dreamed up to frustrate us.

After all that though, some good goalkeeping, bad shooting and pass selection, inept heading and last- ditch interventions kept our sheet clean and ensured that we got back to the refuge of the dressing room for emergency repairs, which presumably included a refresher course in defending for Titus and / or some smelling salts...

Things took a turn for the better after the break, as Souness's team talk appeared to have a debilitating effect on his side's attacking ambitions, we showed some interest in the going forward with the ball department and the referee was slightly less annoying than previously. In a ridiculous interlude though, Messias awarded a free kick to United after a Bellamy challenge that was an exact replica of the one Rob Styles penalised him for at Birmingham - the consequent free kick leading to Stern John's equaliser.

We'd seen some trademark gallops from Bellamy in the first half - stopped by fair and foul means, as well as a fair bit of useful possession round about the Rovers box. This continued after the break with Shearer winning more than his share of balls pumped forward, but frustratingly he lacked the support at crucial times to seize on his knockdowns - answers on a postcard as to how Dyer, Bellamy and Robert all continually managed to be wrong-footed or too remote to intervene.

The goal when it came was from a bizarre source, as Robert sent over a long throw right to the Rovers six yard box that, along with Shearer's challenge on Friedel unsettled Rovers enough for Bellamy to twist and fire the loose ball home. No doubt Robert faces a fine for breaking what is presumably a club rule that penalises players for hoying the ball into what we're duty-bound as footy hacks to call "the mixer." We just never do it. Why?

The Frenchman actually tried to repeat the feat in the dying seconds of the game, but despite looking so weary that he could barely put one foot in front of the other, managed to encroach on to the pitch so obviously that even the cock-eyed linesman, who had missed most other offences during the evening, spotted the transgression.

One up though in a similar manner to the St.Andrews game, with the home side apparently destined not to break their duck, we again conspired not to press home our advantage despite good possession in the final third of the field.

And also like Birmingham, we were made to pay for that when a late flurry from the home side brought about an equaliser that over the whole game was certainly deserved but seemingly avoidable. Well at least we're consistent.... flattering to deceive once again.

Interesting to see the composition of our bench by the way - excluding Harper, who provided a second-half comedy moment by falling over a row of seats when straining to (successfully) catch a stray ball on the away bench.

Viana and Ambrose both featured as expected with Bowyer having played only one reserve game of his comeback, but while Shola won the battle of the strikers over Bridges, there was one other face that may have been unfamiliar to younger supporters - step forward Robbie Elliott.

There's a certain bitter amusement about seeing a player with another year still on his contract, but reduced to training with the youngsters pre-season and refusing to be loaned out to Nationwide clubs now back on the bench, for the simple reason that we've got no bugger else as cover.

Woodgate's injury and the soon-to-be away-apparently Griffin's unavailability meant that our defensive cover consisted of a transfer-listed 31 year-old left back who has played precisely 18 minutes-worth of Premiership football since his last senior league start - on this ground in April 2002.

The Caldwells and Dabizas have been marched out of the door, leaving Bramble with a clear run as first reserve and behind him unproven youngsters like Peter Ramage and Steven Taylor, the latter of whom had been in action the previous night for our youth team against the smoggies. 

With continuing doubts over Woodgate, we may yet need Taylor as cover for the Premiership, with the only alternative for central defensive spots being Aaron Hughes - assuming of course we could find someone to play right back, now Griff is on his way and that Peruvian has departed. You have to wonder, would this happen at other clubs?  

The triumphant post-match crowing of the Ewood PA monkey about securing a point thanks to new idol Stead proved just how reduced circumstances are around those parts now - those of us in the Darwen End could have told them that only drawing with this incarnation of the Geordie Dream Team is no great achievement.

Yet another wasted opportunity to register an away win then and we join Liverpool, Charlton and Fulham in being incapable of stringing results together to rise above the pack vying for fourth place, with improved form from the likes of Villa making the picture ever-more congested and our chances lessened as a result.

Thirteen league games now remain, six at home and seven away - quite simply anything could happen, but on this form we'll be looking at no more than a second successive UEFA Cup campaign as the games begin to run out and our performances remain steady but uninspiring. 

The question is, whether the Chairman sees that as failure. And if so, what he does about it.