Blackburn Rovers needed a late goal from Augustus Kargbo to earn a point against Stoke City, who had threatened to take all three in a tight but entertaining Championship encounter at Ewood Park.

In the first half the visitors dominated possession and produced some neat football but it was Rovers who had the better chances, particularly through Andri Gudjonnsen, who squandered the best of them shortly before half-time.

It was goalless at the break but early in the second period Stoke moved the ball with more conviction and found their breakthrough on 49 minutes when Million Manhoef darted into space and slotted low past Balazs Toth.

It was a moment of quality in a game that up to that point had failed to deliver the cutting edge required.

Blackburn's response was initially subdued, their build-up play hampered by sloppy passing and the visitors well-organised back line, but the introduction of Kargbo and Yuki Ohashi injected much-needed urgency. Rovers began to play higher up the pitch, forcing mistakes and penning Stoke deeper into their own half.

Their efforts finally paid dividends eight minutes from time.

Cantwell's persistence enabled...