Newcastle 0 : Blackburn 1
02/03/2008 10:24 AM
his shot high over the top.
Smith might have broken the deadlock in the 53rd minute but dragged his shot wide of the far post, and it took a fine reaction save from Friedel to keep out Owen's bullet-header three minutes later.
The American distinguished himself once again with 61 minutes gone when he managed to get a foot to Owen's shot after the striker had run on to another Barton pass.
Keegan made his move when he replaced Butt with striker Obafemi Martins, handing him a first appearance for his club since January 2, but it was Milner who forced another save from Friedel 13 minutes from time.
Rovers almost snatched victory three minutes from the end when Harper had to block Santa Cruz's effort, but the reprieve was only temporary for the home side.
As Newcastle committed men to the search for a winner, Bentley played Derbyshire into acres of space and the substitute finished with ease to pile on the misery for Keegan.