Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Bristol City 
by Jacque Talbot
at Ewood Park
 

BLACKBURN were left to rue missed chances as they gave another dour performance in front of goal, losing 1-0 to Bristol City at Ewood Park in the Championship on Saturday.

Bradley Dack’s emotional return from injury was soured by his missed penalty and a smash and grab goal from Andreas Weimann as 18th-place Robins secured all three points.

Blackburn — who have only scored three goals this year — were left red-faced after missing a spot-kick and a series of chances as they once again failed to register a goal.

Bristol City began brightly as Antoine Semeny dragged a shot just wide on two minutes and the away side continued their dominance. It took a solid tackle from Jan Van Hecke to snub out Semenyo once again, as the away side turned up the heat.

But Rovers started to pick up the pace and it led to a series of corners commencing on 13 minutes. Reda Khadra took a brilliant set-piece into the box, curling to Darragh Lenihan who diverted the ball goal-bound.  Goalkeeper Daniel Bentley somehow got a palm to it and it was whacked clear.

Then Khadra on 21 minutes dribbled through to a tight angle and forced a save from Bentley once again.

John Buckley was pulled down just outside the box on 28 minutes. The ball perched to Bentley's right was fired straight at the wall by attacker Khadra as the home fans, still itching for a goal, grew louder with their groans.

The noise of discontent withered when Bradley Dack was spotted warming up by a section of home supporters, with the ground making the biggest sound of the afternoon in welcoming back one of its star players to Ewood Park.

A spritely opening second half culminated in Lewis Travis, who recently signed a four-and-half year contract, sailing a long shot a yard or so over the bar.

Joe Rothwell then laid off a one-two for Jan Paul van Hecke and the centre-back managed to divert his shot into Bentley who did well to parry clear on 53 minutes.

Rovers were finding more creativity in the middle, directing play down the right side of City’s defence.

Khadra made a decent dribble on the left flank but his shot was weak and no trouble for Bentley on 67 minutes.

Four minutes later Dack entered the field the first time for a year, with the Rovers fans giving enchanted applause to the man who broke his anterior cruciate ligament.

On 82 minutes, Dack stepped up for a penalty given by referee Gavin Ward. But it wasn’t the dream start as his shot was saved down low.

Ten minutes later, in injury time, Weimann’s volley on 92^nd minute secured the win from the away side, dampening Rovers’ promotion hopes and making it another goalless game for them this year.

Mowbray said after the game that every player must do their bit to ensure the side get on the scoresheet again. “I always think you need at least 60 or 70 goals to get promotion,” he said.

“When we won the league with West Brom, we had 10 players who got into double figures that year.

“Players all over the pitch scored goals and they need to chip in — we are talking in the dressing room after the game, and the centre-backs should be heading goals into the net and scoring four or five goals a season. We have three of them so that is 15 goals.”