Adam Armstrong grabbed an equaliser midway through the second half as Blackburn Rovers came back from the dead to draw 2-2 at home to Oldham Athletic at Ewood Park.
Rovers boss Tony Mowbray made two changes for the clash from the side that suffered a first defeat in 19 at Plymouth last weekend. Charlie Mulgrew and Jack Payne replaced Adam Armstrong and Craig Conway.
Oldham manager Richie Wellens named an unchanged side following last weekend’s win against Bradford City. New signing Jonathan Benteke had to settle for a place on the bench.
Latics thought they should have had a penalty in the opening minute when Craig Davies went down in the box, and he was involved again moments later when his shot was kept out by David Raya.
It was a quieter start but on 26 minutes the visitors grabbed the lead through Duckens Nazon.
The loanee beat Ryan Nyambe and evaded the challenge of Richie Smallwood, went one-on-one with Raya and although the Spaniard got something on the attempt, failed to stop the striker from putting Oldham a goal up (0-1).
Placide had to be wary soon after the goal as Jack Payne’s effort from 25 yards was heading for the corner but the goalkeeper made a good save.
With five minutes of the first half remaining, Latics were two goals ahead and Nazon had his second of the game.
Dan Gardner found space in the centre circle and he sprayed it wide to Nazon to run at the defence. He was not closed down and he rifled an effort into the bottom corner to put Latics two goals into the lead (0-2).
Blackburn were struggling to create any major chances, with Elliott Bennett having an effort for the hosts just before the break when he fired straight at Placide from distance.
Wilfried Moimbe put in another impressive display in the opening 45 minutes as he halted a number of Blackburn Rovers attacks.
Half Time – Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Oldham Athletic (Nazon 26′ 39′)
Mowbray made a double change at the break with Lewis Travis and Armstrong entering the action, replacing Paul Downing and Smallwood.
Nazon felt he should have been awarded a penalty as he went over in the box but the referee, for a second time in the afternoon, waved away the protests.
Dummigan had an effort from 25 yards saved whilst at the other end, Danny Graham headed wide as Blackburn started to put the pressure on Latics.
That pressure paid off just after the hour mark as Blackburn pulled a goal back.
It took a set piece to get Blackburn back in the game as Mulgrew curled a free kick into the corner from 25 yards (1-2).
The pendulum was starting to swing in the home side’s favour and Graham headed a whipped Mulgrew corner narrowly wide as Rovers started the create more opportunities.
A couple of minutes later and Rovers found an equalising goal. A hoof forward from Raya was flicked on by Graham to Dack, who in turn fed Armstrong, and the loanee cooly swept home at the near post to beat Placide and net his first goal for the club (2-2).
Latics boss Richie Wellens made two changes immediately after that goal, bringing on Aaron Holloway and Tope Obadeyi in place of Nazon and Jack Byrne.
Latics were still under the cosh and on 79 minutes, Placide had to make an excellent save to deny the home side taking the lead.
Their task was made harder when Moimbe was sent off on 82 minutes, with Latics forced to play the remaining minutes with 10 men.
Armstong found space on the edge of the box and fired at goal but the goalkeeper did well to tip over.
Despite plenty of Blackburn chances throughout the closing stages, including several during an incredible eight minutes of stoppage time, Oldham managed to hold on to earn a hard-fought point.
Full Time – Blackburn Rovers (Mulgrew 63′) (Armstrong 70′) 2-2 Oldham Athletic (Nazon 26′ 39′)
Blackburn Rovers – Raya, Nyambe, Downing (46′), Mulgrew (c), Williams, Bennett, Smallwood (46′), Payne, Dack, Bell, Graham.
Subs – Leutwiler, Samuel, Caddis, Conway, Evans, Travis (46′), Armstrong (46′).
Oldham Athletic – Placide, Dummigan, Moimbe, Gerrard (c), Bryan, Fane, Byrne (72)’, Gardner, Pringle, Nazon (72′), Davies (85′).
Subs – De La Paz, Nepomuceno, Benyu, Benteke, Obadeyi (72′), Wilson (85′), Holloway (72′).
Attendance: 13,665 (2,294 away)
