Benni McCarthy was left cursing his luck as Blackburn tumbled out of the UEFA Cup.

The former Porto striker missed two clear-cut chances at Ewood Park that could have turned the tie. Instead the Bundesliga side progress to the last 16 of the competition thanks to their efforts last week.

However, Blackburn could have got that vital strike with three minutes to go - only for substitute Shabani Nonda to hook his effort wide.

There was a good crowd at Ewood Park for the early kick-off, with children getting in for £1.

Morten Gamst Pedersen almost made the breakthrough in the fourth minute with a superb 25-yard free-kick which marginally cleared the bar.

Leverkusen defender Juan was booked in the 13th minute after tripping David Bentley in full flow.

Pedersen took the free-kick but again was slightly off target with his effort from an acute angle.

Tugay tried to release Matt Derbyshire three minutes later only for Karim Haggui to anticipate the danger and head clear.

Leverkusen tried to get going in the 19th minute with Andriy Voronin racing into a good position but Sergej Barbarez overhit the pass.

Then Marko Babic swung in a deep cross for the visitors that Stephen Warnock hacked clear at the far post.

Pedersen carved out a good opening in the 30th minute and released McCarthy but his shot went agonisingly wide of the post.

Bentley took up a good position in the 33rd minute and his delightful cross was headed clear by Leverkusen's Gonzalo Castro.

The Blackburn winger then sent a free-kick at pace into the area - but Haggui made an important clearance.

Leverkusen goalkeeper Jorg Butt gave his team-mates a scare in the 42nd minute when he spilled a simple catch - McCarthy reacted quickly but the shot-stopper managed to recover just in time.

There was a moment of danger for Blackburn a minute later when Bernd Schneider whipped in a free-kick that grazed the outside of Brad Friedel's post.

Then Schneider hoisted a shot over the top in first-half stoppage-time.

A wayward clearance by Castro in the 46th minute led to a Blackburn corner.

Pedersen's delivery found Bentley but his return cross was poor and drifted out of play.

Warnock then cut into the area after 52 minutes but his cross was cut out by Brazilian defender Juan.

The former Liverpool full-back was left holding his head in frustration at seeing the move break down.

Blackburn almost got the goal they craved in the 56th minute when Bentley swung in a cross from the right.

David Dunn peeled away from his marker, only for Butt to steer his header around the post.

Blackburn stepped up the pace and McCarthy and Pedersen linked up well in the 62nd minute.

Pedersen raced into the box only for Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker to make a timely interception.

Leverkusen were happy to play on the counter attack, still holding on to their one-goal advantage.

Pedersen whipped in a good cross after 65 minutes but again Callsen-Bracker was in the right position.

Then Derbyshire had a half a chance in front of goal but the ball got stuck under his feet.

McCarthy should have made the breakthrough in the 71st minute but somehow screwed his shot wide of the post after Pedersen had created the opening.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes was then spoken to by Spanish referee Alberto Mallenco after disputing a throw in as tempers began to boil over.

Warnock and Barbarez of Leverkusen were both booked during a melee on the pitch.

Nonda then squandered his late, great chance, hoisting his effort wide after being released by Ryan Nelsen.

Teams:

Blackburn Friedel, Khizanishvili (Roberts 86), Nelsen,Warnock, Emerton, Bentley, Dunn, Kerimoglu (Nonda 71),Pedersen, McCarthy, Derbyshire.

Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Henchoz, Gallagher, Peter, Gray.

Booked: Pedersen, Warnock.

Bayer Leverkusen Butt, Babic, Juan,Haggui (Callsen-Bracker 59), Castro, Ramelow, Rolfes,Freier (Barnetta 73), Barbarez, Schneider, Voronin (Madouni 88).

Subs Not Used: Adler, Stenman, Kiessling, Athirson.

Booked: Juan, Barbarez, Rolfes.

Agg (2-3)

Att: 25,124

Ref: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain).