David Moyes pointed questionned the referee's assistant for denying Andrew Johnson a late winner at Blackburn as the game ended goaless.With around seven minutes remaining, Johnson collected a pass from Toffees substitute James Vaughan and advanced forward to place the ball into an empty net after Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel had raced off his line.

But the vague nature of the offside law reared its ugly head as although Johnson was offside in the first phase of the attack, he was clearly not when Vaughan supplied him with the vital pass to score.

Toffees boss Moyes fumed: "It was onside and there was a minimum of two players playing Andy on - maybe three, maybe even four including the goalkeeper.

"When James Vaughan scoops the ball on, Andy Johnson is behind and there are two definitely playing and three in line, with Brad Friedel probably just playing him on as well.

"To be fair it was just a poor decision. I said after the Merseyside derby that we're not criticising referees and that we're getting on with it.

"But that decision could be crucial and I just hope it doesn't come back to haunt us."

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes said: "Do you understand the rule these days? Was it first phase, second phase and was he active?

"I just think it's too much of a grey area and makes it really difficult for officials and referees.

"And it's frustrating for managers alike but I would argue that it was offside because in the first phase he was offside.

"David would say he wasn't in the second phase, so where do we go with it?"

The decision was all the more painful for Everton and their 6,000-strong army of supporters after the visitors had largely dominated the game.

The Merseysiders created the better chances, hit a post through Manuel Fernandes' free-kick and looked the stronger side throughout.

Moyes added: "We've played well and created one or two chances and limited Blackburn.

"Overall, I'm pleased with the performance - the players are doing great at the moment - but I'm disappointed we didn't take all three points.

"We hit the post with the free-kick, had an effort cleared off the line in the first half and obviously had the goal which hasn't counted."

Johnson - who was omitted from new coach Fabio Capello's first England squad this week - toiled manfully but in vain for long periods as a lone frontman.

Moyes added: "Andy is just beginning to get a little bit back into his game.

"He was injured at the start of the season but he's getting into the full swing of it and should have had the goal today."

That Everton and their huge army of travelling supporters departed Ewood Park with disappointment etched across their faces said much for the club's steady progress under Moyes.

The Toffees disrupted the established order in 2004-05 when they pipped neighbours Liverpool to fourth spot.

And their hopes of emulating that success this term have been boosted by the Reds' turmoil off the pitch and shortcomings on it.

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