Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Leeds United: Dominant United Draw Blank

Leeds United travelled to Blackburn hoping to build on a 2-0 home win against Blackpool on Wednesday night. United's dominance against Blackpool was so evident that Neil Warnock felt he could name an unchanged side for the weekend trip to Ewood park which meant the front three of Ross McCormack, Steve Morison and Luke Varney continued in the side whilst David Norris, Paul Green and Michael Tonge played in a midfield three.

Blackburn had plenty of fresh attacking options to choose from as David Bentley was handed his first start since returning to the club on loan whilst DJ Campbell joined Jordan Rhodes up front for the hosts.

The Whites preceded to get in the faces of their opponents and their pressure was to pay off early when some good play from Ross McCormack saw him bear down on goal in the Blackburn Rovers box. Unfortunately the Scotland International's effort was repelled by Grant Hanley who turned away his effort for a corner. Others to miss opportunities for the away side were Luke Varney who managed to blaze his first half effort well wide. A personal feeling was that if the Whites scored before half-time, they would go on to win but the longer the game stayed at 0-0 you feared the worst.

Blackburn's best chance of the half came when Colin Kazim-Richards, Blackburn's hero at the Emirates stadium in the fifth round of the F.A Cup, directed a shot at Paddy Kenny. It was easy for Paddy Kenny though and he knocked it away from goal. The shot was almost good enough to get the Blackburn fans out of their seats, but not quite. It was a strong first half from Neil Warnock's men who didn't give £8 million pound man Jordan Rhodes a sniff, while his partner DJ Campbell, making his first start for Rovers, hardly had a touch.

Not only were United impressive in defence but they were also looking more solid in the middle of the park. Michael Tonge was enjoying his best game in Leeds shirt, putting himself everywhere with some good tackles and passes while Norris and Green were putting in a workmanlike performance. Leeds should have been in front shortly after half-time when Ross McCormack found himself in behind the defence. United's 44 put his effort wide and in a game of so few chances it was crime not to at least test the keeper from the position he was in.

Despite United's dominance, either side could have taken all three points from the game. Blackburn were the next to get in behind the defence and on this occasion it was courtesy of Lee Peltier who allowed the ball to be stolen from him. Jordan Rhodes' effort only found the side netting though and Leeds' captain had been let off.

With the game rapidly approaching the final whistle there was to be one more opportunity for United. The ball fell to Luke Varney just inside the box but the former Portsmouth man didn't realise he had acres of space and rushed his shot. This resulted in Varney scuffing his attempt on goal which trickled into Jake Kean's arms.

The game was to end 0-0 and although the Whites put in a pleasing away performance at Ewood Park, the lack of creativity in the final third is still there for all to see.