Burnley 0 Blackburn Rovers 0

Last updated : 20 February 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Burnley live to fight another day after holding their Premiership neighbours in an FA Cup fifth round tie that failed to live up to the pre-match hype.

Blackburn Rovers, without playing anywhere near their full potential, should have gone through at the first time of asking, but credit must go to Burnley's solid defence in which John McGreal was a tower of strength.

McGreal and Gary Cahill managed to keep close tabs on Rovers top scorer Paul Dickov, who might have had a second-half penalty when he was clearly fouled by Mo Camara.

Referee Mike Dean chose to award the free-kick outside the box when it had obviously taken place inside - much to the disgust and dismay of Dickov and his colleagues.

Morten Gamst Pedersen came as close to scoring as anyone, his first-half header from a Robbie Savage cross just clearing the Burnley bar. The Norwegian then forced Brian Jensen into two smart saves with a couple of cracking long-range free-kicks.

Dickov had a shot deflected wide and should have settled the tie midway through the second half when he latched on to a pass from Pedersen only to drag his shot wide of the far post.

Burnley's chances were few and far between. Their attacking options were strictly limited early on, a McGreal snap shot going wide the only threat of note.

But the introduction of John Oster, who replaced hamstring victim Frank Sinclair, certainly put extra spark into Steve Cotterill's side. Oster made a couple of mazy runs to keep Rovers on their toes, but there wasn't enough support for lone striker Ian Moore in the final third.

Camara managed to wriggle through late on and found himself in a good shooting position only to then see his low drive well held by Brad Friedel.

A draw was probably about right but, worryingly, there was plenty of post-match concern over safety issues at Turf Moor after three spectators managed to get on the field of play.