Newcastle United 1 Blackburn Rovers 1 - Peter White's big match verdict

IT'S so long since Blackburn Rovers won at Newcastle, the last time they did it Dave Whelan was their modestly-paid left back who hadn't even thought of opening a corner shop, never mind building a multi-million pound shopping empire.

Since that day almost 40 years ago, Rovers have had more than their share of heartache at St James's Park and there were many who felt Saturday's clash was the best opportunity yet to claim that elusive away win against a depleted side.

But, as it turned out, Rovers needed Chris Sutton's thoroughly deserved 57th-minute equaliser to avoid more trauma on the Tyne.

They will, however, view the actions of one man as being largely responsible for not getting more than one point to maintain their unbeaten away record.

Referee Jeff Winter certainly won't be on Kevin Gallacher's Christmas card list.

In fact, it's doubtful if there was one Blackburn visitor - player, official or supporter - who left Tyneside with a good word to say about his appalling performance.

It's easy to pick on officials, they can be a convenient scapegoat.

But the lumbering Mr Winter deserved all he got and Rovers did well to ensure they weren't complete victims of his blundering. Gallacher took some fearful stick, yet found it difficult to win sympathy, let alone free kicks.

One of the worst examples of the officials' abysmal failure to enforce the rules came with a brutal challenge from behind on the Scot early in the second half. It could have caused serious injury.

But no free kick was really no surprise, after the way the referee ignored a blatant foul by Darren Peacock on Gallacher in the build-up to Newcastle's goal.

To add insult to ignorance, he then booked Gallacher, as Newcastle celebrated.

Rovers' composure and patience was sorely tested, sustaining six bookings for 'unsporting behaviour' when the person most guilty of such conduct was carrying a whistle.

Manager Roy Hodgson was clearly concerned about the officiating as he was out of the dugout more than once.

But, at places like Newcastle, that's what you sometimes have to suffer.

Hodgson, understandably, included an extra midfield man in Billy McKinlay for young Damien Duff and the Scottish steel was needed in the cut and thrust of an eventful game. But Duff still managed to make a contribution when he went on as substitute.

Rovers have looked very solid on tour this season and Saturday was no exception.

Despite Newcastle's obvious problems in attack - they also had Ian Rush missing - you are always going to be under some pressure on Tyneside whatever the personnel.

The referee's contribution was also a major factor, but Newcastle clearly did lack potency in attack.

That encouraged Rovers hopes of victory but circumstances meant they were chasing the game for a long period and the excellent David Batty kept the home team calm when they needed it most.

Both teams were lively in the opening period without ever testing either keeper, though Newcastle, for all their changes, saw Georgian Temuri Ketsbaia waste a chance by shooting wildly wide after a superb home move on 24 minutes.

Just four minutes later, the home team went ahead and the first accusing fingers began to point at Mr Winter.

Gallacher was clearly fouled in the centre circle by Darren Peacock but the referee ignored it allowing Ketsbaia to launch the ball forward.

Perhaps anticipating a free kick, Rovers, and Patrick Valery in particular, were caught off guard as Keith Gillespie darted in from the left and struck a stunning volley inside the far post.

Tim Flowers had no chance to save an exceptional effort - a pity the source of the goal was so dubious. In a game which ebbed and flowed, Rovers hit back and were unlucky not to level before half time.

Two viscious inswinging corners from Stuart Ripley almost went straight in with Pavel Srnicek somehow palming away the first by the nearpost angle and Des Hamilton heading the second off the line.

Five minutes before the interval, Hamilton came to Newcastle's rescue again when he cleared off the line from Tim Sherwood.

Newcastle's only threat after their goal stemmed from a rare kicking mistake by Flowers but Jon Dahl Tomasson missed badly.

Rovers knew they had to do more in attack in the second half and they did. Both Sutton and Gallacheer had good efforts before the equaliser arrived on 57 minutes.

It was a good goal too. Stephane Henchoz, who - like Colin Hendry again - was a tower of strength at the heart of defence, knocked an accurate ball down the right. Gallacher laid off a superb pass to Sutton with a flick of his head and his fellow-striker steamed forward.

He coasted past Darren Peacock and fired home a low left foot shot from the edge of the penalty area. Rovers enjoyed moments when they looked as though they could go on to win the game, while Newcastle also enjoyed some pressure as they finished strongly.

But the defence was firm and Flowers, who made an outstanding save from a deflected Robert Lee shot nine minutes from time, also pulled off an excellent tip-over under pressure.

But he had surely been fouled as he punched the ball clear from the first cross.

That was the story of the game, a referee and two linesmen who struggled to get a decision right between them.

The last word goes to the ranks of Rovers fans who chanted: "You're not fit to referee."

As Mr Winter made the short trip home to Stockton-on-Tees, those words should have been ringing in his ears.

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