In came Robbie Stockdale, Robbie Mustoe, Mark Wilson, Carlos Marinelli and Dean Windass. But the surprise was in goal where McClaren recalled Mark Schwarzer in place of Mark Crossley. There was a mixture of applause and boos when Schwarzer's name was announced prior to kick-off, most would be disappointed at Crossley's exlusion after such a good spell.
|
Chances were few and far between with neither keeper being called upon to make a serious save, both defences coped well with their respective attacks.
Boro's first real opportunity came when Stockdale broke from the half way line but he hit a left foot shot straight at Brad Friedel.
There was a scare in the Boro box when Blackburn won a corner on the right. Henning Berg haeded goalwards and Scharwzer saved by sitting on the ball.
Approaching half time Boro almost took the lead, Noel Whelan was put clear on the right and as the Keeper advanced he lobbed the ball goalwards. There was no doubt it was going in but Henning Berg read the situation and cleared off the line.
It was time for manager McClaren to make some half time changes, and he did just that, bringing on Alen Boksic and Szilard Nemeth for Wilson and Windass. Whelan dropped back into midfield as the newcomers went up front.
Nemeth started like a house on fire, almost creating a chance from nothing, after picking a loose ball 30 yards out he beat three men before drilling a low cross across the box from the bye-line. Blackburn keeper Friedel did well to cut out the danger ahead of several Boro players closing in.
Blackburn had their one and only 'chance' after an hour when Andy Cole was put clear on the right edge of the box. When it seemed like the Geordie reject was about to shoot he crossed tamely and the ball went out for a goal-kick.
The turning point of the game came after seventy minutes when Blackburn were reduced to ten men. A ball over the top was chased by Stockdale but he was obstructed by Lucas Neill. The referee initially waved play on but after the linesman flagged he awarded a free-kick. To the astonishment of the the crowd Mr Barber produced his red card and sent Neill for an early bath.
Stockdale was clear on goal but I think he was a bit wide to warrant a red card, a yellow at most would have been sufficient. What was surprising, was that the referee never consulted with his linesman.
But beggars can't be choosers, we will take every advantage that comes our way. Franck Queudrue fired the resulting free-kick inches over the bar.