Benni comes to Blackburn's rescue

Blackburn substitute Benni McCarthy's header in the third minute of injury-time salvaged a Barclays Premier League 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough.

Afonso Alves scored the opener in the 74th minute after out-pacing veteran centre-back Andre Ooijer and turning to fire past goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

However, McCarthy rose highest at a late corner to head in at the near post, although the main talking point of the match was Tuncay Sanli's wrongly disallowed overhead kick in the first half.

Jeremie Aliadiere smashed a volley against the crossbar from Chris Riggott's hopeful ball forward as the Blackburn defence appealed for offside early on.

Roque Santa Cruz should have made the breakthrough Rovers deserved in the 16th minute when he was put through by Stephen Warnock but although his shot beat Turnbull it rebounded back off the far post.

Against the run of play Tuncay buried an overhead kick past Robinson but he was wrongly flagged for offside.

In the 29th minute Turnbull did well to parry Santa Cruz's powerful header but in the scramble that followed referee Mike Dean awarded a free-kick to Boro.

In the second minute of injury time Turnbull had to scramble to claw away Santa Cruz's sliding effort.

McCarthy was sent on to replace Matt Derbyshire in attempt to make the breakthrough but when it came in the 74th minute it was to the visitors.

Alves chased a ball over the top but beat Ooijer to it, turning him and firing home. But in the third minute of injury time, McCarthy rose at the near post to head home Emerton's corner.