Football: Plucky Rovers pipped by Lyons

Lyons 2 Blackburn Rovers 2 Lyons win 3-2 on aggregate

INJURY-HIT Blackburn Rovers, without a recognised striker in their side and reduced to 10 men late in the game, produced a stirring second-half fightback, but just failed to find the third goal which would have taken them through on the away goals rule in their first round, second leg Uefa Cup game here last night.

The chances of a comeback had looked remote when, moments after levelling the tie 1-1 on the night, Jeff Kenna inexplicably pushed Jacek Bak inside the box in the 35th minute. Kenna, who was booked for his troubles, protested vehemently before Marco Grassi sent Tim Flowers the wrong way from the spot.

Blackburn got off to the worst possible start, Lyons' impressive skipper Alain Caveglia picking himself up after being fouled by Christian Dailly before curling a wonderful 28-yard free-kick beyond Flowers. Caveglia's strike silenced the small army of fans who had travelled over from Lancashire but they found their voices again after Sebastien Perez grabbed a 26th- minute equaliser.

The Frenchman had been struggling with a knee injury but he showed no signs of that as he climbed above everyone at the back post and headed Damien Duff's superb cross over goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.

Damien Johnson replaced the limping Perez at half-time and immediately gave Blackburn new impetus down the right. With Duff pushing up alongside Wilcox up front, Lyons were forced further on to the back foot. Rovers came close from a number of free-kicks in and around the box before Dailly's clever pass released Garry Flitcroft and he slipped the ball between Coupet's legs.

Their task was made harder 10 minutes from time when Wilcox was sent off after a second yellow card within a minute.

Lyons: Coupet; Carteron, Laville, Bak, Violeau, Grassi (Bassila, 67), Dhorasoo, Fournier, Caveglia, Delmotte, Linares.

Blackburn: Flowers; Kenna (Davidson, 66), Sherwood, Peacock, Henchoz, Flitcroft, Wilcox, Duff, Perez (Johnson, h-t), McKinlay (Taylor, 82), Dailly.

Referee: R Temmink (Neth).