MORTEN Gamst Pedersen was inches away from firing Rovers into a half time lead as title chasing Liverpool were kept relatively quiet at Ewood Park.

The Norwegian international saw his 30-yard strike brilliantly tipped on to the bar by goalkeeper Pepe Reina to prevent Rovers taking the lead on the half hour mark.

Pedersen also saw a 35-yard free kick bundled wide by Reina later in the half as a vociferous home crowd were given plenty of signs of encouragement.

While some quarters of the national press had already written Ince's Rovers reign off as a lost cause pre-match, his side showed all the fight and spirit he could have asked for in the opening 45 minutes.

It was a scrappy first half with Paul Ince's men looking solid and dangerous, at times, on the break.

Stephen Warnock denied Yossi Benayoun with a brilliant goal-saving tackle when the Israeli was through on goal, while Javier Mascherano bent the visitors' other notable chance well wide.