Report: Rovers 0-0 Millwall

A frustrating evening for Rovers ended all square as they couldn't break through a stubborn Millwall, with both teams securing a point at Ewood Park in a 0-0 stalemate in East Lancashire.

The chances were there for the hosts, with Joe Rankin-Costello and Sam Gallagher both guilty of missing fantastic first-half chances.

John Buckley hit the post and later saw Bartosz Bialkowski in his way early into the second half as Rovers continued to lay siege on the visiting goal for a goal that never arrived.

The boss made four changes to the team from the one that took to the field a few days earlier, with Rankin-Costello, Buckley, Joe Rothwell and Gallagher all getting the nod.

As for Millwall, Gary Rowett opted for the same side that earned a 1-0 win over Reading on Saturday in Berkshire.

With both sides known for being mean in defence, opportunities were expected to be at a premium, and although Rovers worked the first chance of the game, Rankin-Costello passed it by when he dragged past Bialkowski's right-hand post after a quick one-two with Buckley after only 16 minutes.

Another opportunity arrived soon after, but Jan Paul van Hecke headed Ryan Giles' drifted corner just wide of the target as Mowbray's men went in search of what would have been a crucial opener.

As the half progressed, Gallagher then slid wide of Bialkowski's left-hand post after a delightful Buckley cross picked the forward out at the back post.

Although Rovers dominated, both sides went into the break as they started the contest, with the visitors offering little threat at the other end.

The hosts went in search of breaking the deadlock early into the second half, but the dangerous Buckley saw his effort superbly flicked up in the air by Bialkowski before Gallagher's follow up effort came to nothing.

Rovers were becoming frustrated as the minutes ticked away and the boss threw on Jack Vale, fresh from recent back-to-back hat-tricks for the Under-23s, for his maiden first-team appearance of the campaign with six minutes remaining.

Just three minutes later and Wharton's looping header nearly dropped in, with Bialkowski making sure by tipping it behind.

That was to be the last chance on what was a truly frustrating evening at Ewood Park.

Mowbray's men return to home turf on Saturday, with Bristol City the visitors to Ewood Park for the first of our Final Five home games of the campaign, kick-off 3pm.

Attendance: 12,874.