Rovers kept a third straight clean sheet but struggled for attacking threat in a game which won’t live long in the memory.

Only late on when Derrick Williams was denied by the post did Rovers look like breaking the deadlock as they shared the spoils with Cardiff City at a sun-drenched Ewood Park.

Leandro Bacuna hit the outside of the post for the visitors in the first half but the 90 minutes was devoid of clear-cut chances.

Rovers made two changes, with Amari’i Bell replacing Greg Cunningham who was ineligible against his parent club, while Danny Graham returned in attack.

The striker was quickly in the action going close to an opening goal in just the fifth minute. A swift move down the left saw Bell square for Graham, who shot goalwards on the turn, only to see it deflected narrowly over.

Rovers were somewhat playing themselves in to trouble and were opened up in the 12th minute as the ball was played in to the path of Leandro Bacuna whose left foot strike was deflected on to the outside of the post.

Christian Walton had already had one let-off, when turning on his own goal-line, before a mix-up with Darragh Lenihan also let in Josh Murphy.

But the ‘keeper was proving to be a safe pair of hands, claiming several balls in to the box through a crowded penalty area.

He was called upon just after the half hour mark as Joe Ralls got in down the left and after his cross was deflected back to him, his near-post shot was kept out by the boot of Walton.

That was only moments after Elliott Bennett had lost the ball on the touchline allowing Robert Glatzel to break forward, with Derrick Williams coming across to block his shot.

Rovers’ full backs were their main source of joy, getting plenty of space down the flanks, but there needed to be a greater urgency.

There had been a reluctance to swing the ball in to the box, given Cardiff’s aerial prowess, but Bennett’s 33rd minute delivery found Bradley Dack, but from a tight angle he could only head in to the arms of Alex Smithies.

It was a Bradley Johnson diagonal which brought Rovers their best sight of goal in the first half. Sam Gallagher nodded it in to the path of Dack who teed up Graham and he looked set to have a free shot from six yards, only to be denied by a superb, last-ditch challenge from Sean Morrison.

But Rovers were able to go in to the break level after a fine stop by Walton. Lee Tomlin twisted and turned his way in to a shooting position with his low effort kept out by the outstretched hand of Walton who was quickly to his feet to gather the rebound.

The second half was equally competitive, but still a void of chances.

Cardiff switched their front two in a bid to find an opening, and former Rover Junior Hoilett, whose introduction was greeted by some boos but also some applause, almost came up with an opener.

The ball was flicked in to his path and after holding off Lenihan, shot goalwards, with Walton equal to his effort but still needing Williams to clear the danger as he parried the shot.

It felt like the game could well be decided by the subs as the game started to move in Cardiff’s favour as Rovers’ wait for a  sub went on.

They did turn to their bench with 18 minutes to go as Joe Rothwell and Adam Armstrong replaced Graham and Dack.

But it was Cardiff who had the better openings, Aden Flint nodding wide from a Hoilett right wing cross.

The changes meant for a change of shape, as Rovers moved to a 4-4-2, with Gallagher and Armstrong being used as a front two.

It was still the Bluebirds who were looking the more likely though. After an early effort had flown well over, Joe Ralls flashes an effort within inches of the far post after a poor Downing pass had allowed Murphy to race forward.

The home fans were becoming a little frustrated at the lack of options, which led to a rare sight of goal with 15 minutes to play. Williams swung in a deep cross which Gallagher nodded down for Downing whose volley was never likely to trouble Smithies.

The endeavour of Armstrong looked to have brought them a great chance to snatch victory though as after closing down a Lee Peltier clearance he squared for Johnson, but he and Gallagher looked to get in each other’s way as the ball rolled in to the arms of Smithies.

Suddenly Rovers, and the home crowd in turn, had come to life as they sensed some late drama. They kept the ball alive from a Travis cross, with the outstretched leg of Williams denied by the post.

Centre half partner Lenihan then fired over as Cardiff failed to clear their lines in what was becoming a frantic finish.

 

Rovers: Walton, Bennett, Lenihan, Williams, Bell, Johnson, Travis, Gallagher, Dack (Rothwell, 72), Downing (Nyambe, 80), Graham (Armstrong, 72)

Subs: Leutwiler, Smallwood, Buckley, Rankin-Costello

 

Cardiff City: Smithies, Peltier, Bennett, Morrison, Flint, Bacuna, Ralls, Glatzel (Bogle, 60), Murphy, Tomlin (Hoilett, 56), Whyte

Subs: Day, Vaulks, Vassell, Paterson, Nelson