Brett Emerton dealt a massive blow to West Brom's Premiership survival hopes with a second-half equaliser at The Hawthorns.

The Australian international cancelled out a first-half goal from Kieran Richardson to leave Bryan Robson's side in the bottom three.

The Baggies moved level on points with Norwich and Crystal Palace but remain in the relegation zone as they have an inferior goal difference to the Eagles.

Bryan Robson's side appear to have the harder run-in with games against Arsenal (home) and Manchester United (away) to come before they entertain Portsmouth on the final day of the campaign.

But they can take heart from Norwich's unexpected win over United and Palace's weekend success over Liverpool.

Albion remain unbeaten at home since Boxing Day but Robson had earmarked this as a must-win game, although a draw was a fair result.

Blackburn have been criticised for their tactics since Mark Hughes took charge but they showed plenty of composure on the ball as well as plenty of resilience.

They were certainly not a side going through the motions even though their own Premiership safety is guaranteed.

Albion made a promising start and a ball over the top from Ronnie Wallwork almost played in Kevin Campbell with Brad Friedel having to come quickly out of his area to hack clear.

Baggies striker Geoff Horsfield was yellow-carded after only two minutes by referee Steve Bennett after going down unchallenged in the Rovers box.

Zoltan Gera tried his luck from 25 yards and his dipping low effort was only just wide of Friedel's right-hand post although he had it covered.

Albion had an apparently legitimate appeal for a penalty turned down when Andy Todd appeared to hold back Campbell as he challenged for an inswinging Richardson free-kick.

They appealed in vain for a second time for a spot-kick when a fierce Wallwork drive appeared to hit the hands of Aaron Mokoena on its way out for a corner.

After 32 minutes The Hawthorns erupted when Richardson put West Brom ahead with his first goal on home soil since his loan move from Manchester United in January.

Horsfield won a free-kick on the edge of the Blackburn area after being challenged by Ryan Nelsen.

Up stepped Richardson to curl a superb free-kick past the despairing dive of Friedel into the top corner.

Rovers defender Dominic Matteo was booked for dissent, presumably unhappy at the free-kick award, before Blackburn kicked off.

Blackburn retaliated and the woodwork denied Jonathan Stead an equaliser after Martin Albrechtsen had headed clear under pressure from Robbie Savage.

He steadied himself before volleying his shot past the dive of Hoult but the ball struck the inside of the post and flew across the face of goal.

Richard Chaplow was also not far off target with a dipping shot before Paul Robinson was booked a minute before the interval for a challenge on Lucas Neill.

Albion enjoyed more of the play territorially at the start of a second period which began in driving rain.

Neil Clement missed a golden chance to double their advantage after 50 minutes following a deep corner from Chaplow.

The central defender peeled away from the Blackburn rearguard at the far post but sent his header wide.

Clement did manage to hit the target with a well struck free-kick but Friedel was right behind the shot and managed to beat it away.

After 64 minutes Albion were rocked back on their heels when Emerton brought Rovers back on level terms.

Pedersen made a probing run before squaring the ball across goal and Emerton had time to steady himself before drilling his shot past Hoult.

Albion rallied and a looping Gera header hit the bar from Richardson's corner and at the other end Robinson's fine tackle halted Pedersen after a slip by Clement allowed him a run at goal.

Clement had a late opportunity to win the game for Albion but he could not keep his volley down after a well-timed run into the box.

Teams

West Brom: Hoult, Albrechtsen, Gaardsoe, Clement, Robinson, Gera, Wallwork, Richardson, Chaplow (Kanu 63), Campbell (Scimeca 63), Horsfield (Earnshaw 79).

Subs Not Used: Moore, Kuszczak.

Booked: Horsfield, Robinson, Scimeca.

Goals: Richardson 32.

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Matteo, Emerton, Reid, Mokoena (Tugay 56), Savage (Gallagher 87), Pedersen (Thompson 83), Stead.

Subs Not Used: Flitcroft, Enckelman.

Booked: Matteo, Pedersen, Todd.

Goals: Emerton 64.

Att: 25,154

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).