Blackburn 1-1 Middlesborough

Jan 20 2008

BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes led from the front as his side battled back to earn a point.

He squared up to opposite number Gareth Southgate after throwing the ball back into play and bouncing it off a Boro player.

Hughes, who admitted being mischievous, said: "The crowd was flat and it was the best thing I could have done.

"I felt Middlesbrough were running the clock down and we needed to raise the momentum."

David Wheater had opened the scoring for Boro in 13 minutes but with the crowd roaring on Rovers after the Hughes incident Matt Derbyshire levelled in 75 minutes.

Southgate joked: "I never used to front Mark up on the field but it's important I protect my players.

"We missed some gilt-edged chances to wrap the game up and that is disappointing."