Keith Gillespie scored his first goal in Blackburn's colours to stretch
manager Brian Kidd's unbeaten record to seven games.
But the 1-0 victory over high-flying Leeds at Ewood Park was a battle even
John Wayne might have refused after Rovers' captain Tim Sherwood was dismissed
in the 25th minute for a second altercation with Lee Bowyer.
The home side re-organised and clung on for a win which was as brave as it was
welcome for Kidd and his side.
In the opening 15 minutes of the game, there was little to suggest the furore
which was set to be caused midway through the half.
With neither side being able to field two recognised strikers, neither
goalkeeper was tested.
Leeds' Dutch marksman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was inches over with a 20-yard
free-kick in the opening minutes following Stephane Henchoz's shove on Harry
Kewell.
And a timely Henchoz lunge was required to deny Hasselbaink a run on goal six
minutes later after Alfie Haaland had robbed Billy McKinlay in the centre of the
park.
Seconds later, Rovers captain Sherwood received his first caution following an
altercation with Bowyer.
The Ewood crowd had to wait until the 18th minute for the first strike on
target but John Filan saved Haaland's placed shot comfortably.
Two minutes later debut man Ashley Ward forced a good low save out of Nigel
Martyn after breaking free of Jonathan Woodgate's attention.
Then in the 22nd minute, the crowd earned their first talking point.
A Gunnar Halle error was pounced on by Damien Duff.
He played Gillespie in on the edge of the area and the Northern Ireland
international rounded Wetherall for his first goal since his move from
Newcastle.
But three minutes later, the home side's joy turned to anger.
Sherwood and Bowyer again collided in the centre of the pitch and referee
Robert Harris reached for his red card for the Rovers captain without
hesitation.
It was a decision which cost the first half the impetus it had acquired
following Gillespie's goal and the first 45 minutes petered to a standstill with
Leeds unable to break down Rovers' resilient backline.
Filan did, however, brilliantly well to cover ground and save on the line from
a ferocious Hasselbaink drive in the 34th minute.
The second half followed the example set by its predecessor and only came
round a little seven minutes after the break when Danny Granville's long cross
into the area was met by the diving head of Halle but Filan was more than
adequately able to deal with the potential danger.
Three minutes later, Mr Harris secured his place in the Ewood equivalent of
Dante's Inferno when he showed only a yellow card to Halle after he hauled down
Wilcox as the last line of defence.
Tempers continued to flare and there was no surprise when Wilcox was cautioned
for a late foul on Bowyer.
The visitors entrenched themselves in the Rovers' half but could not find
their way through as even Ward - bought for his striking prowess - became an
emergency and accomplished central defender.
Unbelievably, Mr Harris decided to further anger the home crowd with a
nonsensical idea of booking goalkeeper Filan seven minutes from time for wasting
time.
But ultimately, it was the bravest team which ran out the winners - despite
the intervention of the referee.
A victory perhaps only The Duke himself could have contemplated.
Teams
Blackburn: Filan, Kenna, Davidson, Sherwood, Henchoz, Wilcox,
Duff (Dunn 26), Broomes, McKinlay, Gillespie, Ward.
Subs Not Used: Peacock, Blake, Croft, Fettis.
Sent Off: Sherwood (25).
Booked: Sherwood, Wilcox, Filan.
Goals: Gillespie 22.
Leeds: Martyn, Haaland, Wetherall, Hasselbaink,
Ribeiro (McPhail 74), Bowyer, Hopkin, Granville, Halle, Kewell,
Woodgate (Smith 45).
Subs Not Used: Wijnhard, Jackson, Robinson.
Booked: Bowyer, Haaland, Wetherall.
Att: 27,620
Ref: R Harris (Oxford).
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