Hayden Carter struck in stoppage time to earn Blackburn Rovers a dramatic 1-1 draw against fellow relegation strugglers Portsmouth. Connor Ogilvie's deflected 84th-minute half-volley looked set to condemn Michael O'Neill's side to a damaging defeat in a game they had largely controlled, only for Carter to glance in Ryoya Morishita's inswinging cross via the post with a minute of added time remaining. It was the defender's second goal in as many games and Blackburn's second stoppage-time equaliser in three home matches, underlining their refusal to go quietly in the fight for survival.
Rovers, who had the better of a nervy but surprisingly open contest, will nevertheless reflect on missed chances and a contentious penalty appeal that could have put the outcome beyond doubt. The point keeps them four clear of the relegation zone despite a run of three matches without a win, while John Mousinho's Portsmouth remain a place and a point better off with a game in hand after letting a precious away victory slip from their grasp.
Rovers Start on the Front Foot in Open, Nervy Contest
Blackburn set the tone inside three minutes, slicing through Portsmouth down the right as Morishita raced clear and delivered a low ball into the six-yard box. Yuki Ohashi arrived perfectly to meet it first time but, with the goal gaping, blazed his shot over the bar from close range in a miss that threatened to define the afternoon.