Jason Wilcox gave decimated Blackburn a relegation lifeline with a second-half equaliser in the bottom-of-the-table clash with revitalised Coventry at Highfield Road.

Gordon Strachan's side looked on the way to their first double over Blackburn for 32 years after on-song John Aloisi struck his third goal in as many matches.

More importantly victory would have put the Sky Blues seven points clear of one of their main rivals in the fight to beat the drop.

But then up popped Wilcox to breath new hope into a Blackburn side missing 12 players through injury or suspension as they ended a run of three successive league defeats.

Coventry had looked the better side for long periods with skipper Gary McAllister at his regal best in the centre of the park despite the handicap of an appallingly bobbly surface.

He was the instigator of many of Coventry's most promising attacks and was well supported by George Boateng while Aloisi was a constant threat up front.

Blackburn showed plenty of guts and determination as they strove to come to terms with their list of major absentees with Stephane Henchoz and Jason McAteer typifying that spirit at the back.

But Coventry still seemed the more likely to wrap up the game in the second period - until Wilcox's salvage job only seconds before the influential McAllister was forced to limp out of the action.

Coventry, who left out Darren Huckerby, must be praying that star performer McAllister will be back sooner rather than later.

Blackburn could have gone ahead in the first minute when Ashley Ward headed Dario Marcolin's free-kick over the bar when well placed.

At the other end, Noel Whelan miskicked his volley after the Rovers defence had made a hash of trying to clear a centre from Roland Nilsson.

McAllister started to make his presence felt and he fired just over the bar after creating space via a neat one-two with Whelan.

Boateng was becoming increasingly involved on the right for Coventry and it was a cross from the Dutchman which set up the opening goal for Aloisi after 23 minutes.

Boateng's low ball into the near post was met by the former Portsmouth player who in an instant teed the ball up for himself before volleying past the exposed John Filan.

Filan then had to react quickly to save at the feet of Aloisi after another probing through-ball from McAllister.

Blackburn tried to retaliate and tempers became frayed after a confrontation between Chris Sutton and Muhamed Konjic.

After the break, Coventry twice could have increased their lead with Aloisi involved on both occasions.

He looked to have done everything right with his downward header from a Paul Telfer cross only for the ball to bounce up and over the bar.

Then Aloisi's power took him clear of the Rovers defence before he squared the ball back to Whelan but he failed to get full power in his shot which was saved by Filan low to his right.

But Blackburn made Coventry pay for not killing off the game with a 67th-minute equaliser.

Substitute Damien Johnson sent in a low cross and the onrushing Wilcox planted a left-footed drive wide of Magnus Hedman.

Teams:

Coventry: Hedman, Nilsson, Shaw, Konjic (Clement 69), Burrows, Boateng, Telfer, McAllister (Huckerby 70), Froggatt, Whelan,Aloisi.

Subs Not Used: Ogrizovic, Soltvedt, Shilton.

Booked: Burrows.

Goals: Aloisi 22.

Blackburn: Filan, Davidson, McAteer, Henchoz, Taylor, Wilcox, Marcolin, Dunn (Johnson 60), Jansen (Duff 52), Sutton, Ward.

Subs Not Used: Davies, Williams, Coughlan.

Booked: Henchoz, McAteer, Sutton, Marcolin.

Goals: Wilcox 67.

Att: 19,701

Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).