Football: Rovers pegged back by Flowers' early dismissal

Blackburn Rovers 1 Leeds United 1 Blackburn missed the chance to ease seven points clear of Manchester United at Ewood Park last night when Leeds, facing 10 men for all but 72 seconds following the dismissal of Tim Flowers, forced a draw with the second disputed penalty of a bitterly contested match.

Only seven minutes remained as Gary McAllister went down, having apparently been obstructed by Jason Wilcox. The overworked Rodger Gifford, who also cautioned six players, ignored Leeds' appeals but changed his mind after consulting a linesman. McAllister stepped up to nullify Alan Shearer's spot-kick early in the game.

The drama was still not over. As the teams left the pitch, a spectator ran on in an attempt to confront Mr Gifford. He was ushered away by police, arrested and promptly banned by the host club.

It seems Blackburn are to be pursued by refereeing controversy as well as by Alex Ferguson's champions. At Old Trafford 10 days earlier, they were denied a point when what looked a legitimate goal was disallowed. This time, at least until McAllister's leveller, the debate centred almost exclusively on events in the game's opening moments.

Barely a minute had elapsed before Shearer, racing on to Tim Sherwood's lofted pass, drilled his shot against John Lukic's legs. On the counter-attack, McAllister's pass allowed Brian Deane to slip the offside trap, prompting Flowers to rush out of his area. As the striker tried to round him, he was felled by the England keeper's outstretched boot, and with no covering defender Mr Gifford was justified in reaching for the red card.

Bobby Mimms, who last tasted first-team action 13 months ago, joined the fray. But within two and a half minutes, Blackburn's despair had turned to delight. Chris Sutton tumbled theatrically under McAllister's innocuous challenge, and the referee pointedto the spot - although two minutes passed before the kick could be taken. In the interim, Carlton Palmer initiated a skirmish with Sutton in which half a dozen players became embroiled.

When order was restored - a task not facilitated by Graeme Le Saux's charge to join the altercation - Shearer easily beat Lukic. It was the England striker's 27th goal of the season and, remarkably, his eighth in four appearances against Leeds.

While the visitors piled forward in an attempt to exploit their numerical advantage, Shearer's strength and ball-holding ability meant their defence still endured some torrid moments. Indeed, Lukic had made three good saves, from Le Saux (twice) and Shearer, before Mimms's first save worth the name from McAllister on the hour.

With seven six-footers in their line-up, Leeds were particularly dangerous at set-pieces. Following one free-kick, Deane steered his shot through the packed penalty box but wide of goal.

Leeds' frustration intensified in the 69th minute when Mimms, at full stretch, turned McAllister's 20-yard drive on to the post. As the ball rebounded back along the line, Colin Hendry hacked it clear. The referee, perfectly placed, ruled that the whole ball had not gone over.

Just when it seemed Kenny Dalglish's side would open a seven-point lead, a linesman's word gave McAllister an opportunity to peg them back. The Scotland captain, who had missed Leeds' only previous penalty this season, kept calm amid Blackburn's protestsbefore scoring emphatically.

Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): Flowers; Berg, Pearce, Hendry, Le Saux; Atkins (Mimms, 2), Warhurst, Sherwood, Wilcox; Shearer, Sutton. Substitutes not used: Newell, Wright.

Leeds United (4-4-2): Lukic; Kelly, Pemberton, Palmer, Dorigo; White, Radebe (Worthington, 71), McAllister, Speed; Masinga (Yeboah, 71), Deane. Substitute not used: Beeney (gk).

Referee: R Gifford (Mid-Glamorgan).

Last night's results, page 39