Blackburn 2-2 Newcastle

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Andy Todd's second-half goal gave Blackburn a share of the points in a see-saw clash against Newcastle.

Kieron Dyer gave the visitors the lead when he latched on to a through ball and drilled in from inside the area.

Rovers levelled when Paul Dickov netted with a close range right-foot finish before Laurent Robert restored the Magpies lead with a powerful free-kick.

Craig Bellamy went close for Newcastle and Blackburn's David Thompson forced a fine save from the keeper late on.

Newcastle began positively and showed no sign of a team that had won only one of their last eight League outings.

The Magpies attacking approach was rewarded after six minutes when Dyer beat the offside trap to latch on to a defence-splitting pass before calmly drilling in with his right foot.

Both sides were intent on attack and it was no surprise when the home side responded on 26 minutes.

Barry Ferguson was alert and his quickly taken free-kick was seized upon by the eager Dickov who swivelled and in one motion had the ball in the net.

Newcastle had been caught cold but Robert warmed to the challenge and after 36 minutes struck an unstoppable left-footed free-kick which flew into the bottom corner.

I'm upset with a draw, it should have been three points, but hey, it's an improvement From Shearjoy Have your say on 606

The entertainment level and the goal tally was set to continue as a rejuvenated Rovers came out for the second half.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given was called upon to make a smart save straight from the restart but it was too brief a reprieve.

Substitute David Thompson struck a shot which was too hot for Given to handle and Todd was on hand to pounce on the loose ball to level.

Magpies boss Graeme Souness, facing his former club for the first time, found them a formidable foe and could have come away empty-handed.

Newcastle had earlier pushed hard in an attempt to get the winner with Bellamy in particular going close.

For Blackburn it was the same old story as they registered their seventh draw in their last nine games.

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Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Johansson, Matteo, Reid (Thompson 45), Flitcroft, Ferguson, Emerton, Dickov, Stead (Gallagher 88). Subs not used: Pedersen, Enckelman, McEveley.

Booked: Flitcroft.

Goals: Dickov 26, Todd 54.

Newcastle: Given, Taylor, Andrew O'Brien, Hughes, Elliott (Bramble 60), Milner (Bernard 70), Dyer, Jenas, Robert, Bellamy, Kluivert (Ameobi 45). Subs Not Used: Harper, N'Zogbia.

Booked: Elliott, Robert.

Goals: Dyer 6, Robert 34.

Ref: M Messias (S Yorkshire).

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