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Blackburn slipped back into the Premier League relegation zone despite holding Everton to 0-0 draw at Ewood Park.

Sam Allardyce's men had goalkeeper Jason Brown to thank for two sharp first-half saves to deny Jo and Steven Pienaar, but wasted the best chance of the match when Jason Roberts fluffed his lines after being sent clean through on 68 minutes.

The result leaves Blackburn languishing in 18th position, one point from safety, after Stoke leapfrogged them with a 2-0 home victory against Bolton.

Everton started brightly and almost went ahead inside the first minute when Jo took aim from 25 yards. The Brazilian striker's effort was destined for the bottom corner, but Brown threw himself full length to make the save.

The excitement proved a false dawn for what was a wholly disjointed, disappointing first period - neither side showed composure on the ball and there was precious little in the way of attacking inspiration to admire.

That said, Blackburn defended with real purpose. Ryan Nelsen out-muscled Jo at every opportunity and the dynamic Christopher Samba patrolled his lines superbly.

Everton pressed, but the final ball was lacking and Jo soon became isolated as the defence bypassed midfield with high balls forward.

But on 39 minutes the visitors came desperately close to a breakthrough. Phil Jagielka hooked over a right-wing cross and Pienaar broke through a crowded penalty area to crash a volley on target from 10 yards. But once again Brown was on hand to make the save and keep Blackburn in the match.

The second half brought greater intensity from both teams. Tackles started to fly in and the tempo increased dramatically.

With 51 minutes on the clock Pienaar crossed from the left and Tim Cahill headed wide from an excellent position 10 yards out.

Blackburn responded well. El-Hadji Diouf found Roque Santa Cruz with a centre on the hour-mark, but the Paraguayan also failed to find the target with a free header. A few minutes later Steven Warnock struck the bar with a free-kick that was surely intended as a cross. All the same, the home side were finally firing.

Their best chance of the match followed soon after. Samba sent a hopeful ball forward and Roberts reacted to sprint clear of the Everton defence. The striker was pushed wide by Lescott, but when a left-foot shot looked the best option he opted for a flick with the outside of his right boot and Howard saved comfortably.

There was still time for Joleon Lescott to fire a volley just over the bar from 15 yards, but the match drifted to a gentle conclusion with both sides apparently happy to settle for the point.

Will Tidey / Eurosport