Garry Flitcroft was sent off after just nine minutes but Blackburn still managed to secure a replay in their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Bolton.

The gritty midfielder and club skipper was dismissed by referee David Pugh after picking up two yellow cards for fouls on Gareth Farrelly and Kevin Nolan.

Against the odds Blackburn took the lead through David Dunn only for Michael Ricketts to force a replay back at Ewood Park.

With both clubs pushing for promotion from Division One it was a result neither side wanted. They meet again in the league next Friday and promotion is the priority for both.

But there was no holding back today, although the game never really reached the heights expected.

Jurgen Sommer looked nervous between the posts and almost conceded a goal just one minute into his Bolton debut.

The 32-year-old American raced out of his area to try and block Blackburn striker Matt Jansen.

Sommer, however, mistimed his challenge and it needed a clearance from Colin Hendry to avert the danger.

However the former QPR and Luton keeper redeemed himself moments later by superbly turning over a shot from Jansen.

Jansen was looking lively after getting the nod ahead of Mark Hughes, the only man to pocket four FA Cup winners medals in the 20th century.

Blackburn found themselves under pressure and Alan Mahon did well to clear a shot from Farrelly off the line.

Flitcroft then departed and Farrelly found room down the left but keeper Brad Friedel reacted instinctively to tip away his shot.

Blackburn, however, looked dangerous on the counter-attack and Marcus Bent somehow managed to squeeze the ball through to Jansen.

He raced on and got in a shot but Sommer managed to block his well-struck effort.

Sommer, drafted in with Steve Banks suspended and on-loan Tommy Wright unavailable, was growing in confidence.

Bolton pushed forward again but 18-goal top scorer Ricketts saw his 20-yard shot finish nearer the corner flag than the goal.

Blackburn made the breakthrough against the odds six minutes before the break with Sommer left stranded.

Bolton defender John O'Kane gave away a free-kick 20 yards out when he bundled over substitute Damien Duff.

Duff, who replaced Eyal Berkovic on the half-hour mark, shaped to take a shot only to leave it to Dunn.

Dunn, who signed a new four-year deal this week, saw his effort go in via the underside of the bar with Sommer out of position.

It was just the boost 10-man Blackburn needed - and they should have added a second goal before the break.

Dunn threaded the ball through to Jansen but he was much too casual and Sommer was able to turn away his weak shot.

Bolton almost grabbed the equaliser on the hour when Henning Berg lost his bearings.

Ricardo Gardner looked to be handily placed he could not get a vital touch with keeper Friedel out of position.

It was a rare mistake by Berg as the former Manchester United defender had looked composed at the back along with Craig Short.

However Bolton drew level in the 61st minute when Ricketts grabbed his 19th goal of the season.

Berg managed to clear Simon Charlton's shot off the line but former Walsall striker Ricketts followed up and made no mistake.

Nicky Summerbee and Paul Wheatcroft could have secured Bolton's passage into the quarter-finals late in the game.

Summerbee headed over from a good position, then Friedel did well to block Wheatcroft's effort.

Now the sides will meet again at Ewood Park on March 7 to determine the last-eight contestants.

Teams:

Bolton: Sommer, Hendry, Charlton, O'Kane, Bergsson, Summerbee (Wheatcroft 82), Gardner, Farrelly (Frandsen 76), Passi, Nolan, Ricketts (Hansen 67).

Subs Not Used: Elliott, Barness.

Booked: O'Kane.

Goals: Ricketts 62.

Blackburn: Friedel, Curtis, Short, Berg, Taylor, Berkovic (Duff 30), Flitcroft, Dunn, Mahon, Bent (Hughes 66), Jansen (Hignett 66).

Subs Not Used: Filan, Keller.

Sent Off: Flitcroft (10).

Booked: Flitcroft, Short, Hignett.

Goals: Dunn 40.

Att: 22,048

Ref: D Pugh (Bebington).