Middlesbrough Reserves 2 Blackburn Rovers Reserves 2

LOAN signing Jay Bothroyd seized the chance to impress as Blackburn Rovers reserves extended their unbeaten start to the new season at Billingham Synthonia last night.

Bothroyd, a recent signing from Perugia, was instrumental in helping Rovers establish a 2-0 first half lead in the North East.

But Middlesbrough then hit back to grab a point thanks to a gritty second half fightback.

Rovers had the better of the opening exchanges and they took the lead in the 38th minute.

Gavin Peers was brought down by Danny Graham as he burst into the area and the referee awarded a penalty which Jonathon Douglas duly swept past the keeper.

Barely two minutes later, Rovers then doubled their advantage courtesy of some impressive work by Bothroyd.

The bustling striker twisted and turned before crossing for Matt Jansen to score with a simple header at the far post.

Boro's best chance of the half fell to Malcolm Christie but Peter Enckelman was alert to repel his effort.

The second half began in spectacular fashion as Bothroyd unleashed a 30-yard drive which flew inches over the bar but little was then seen of Rovers as an attacking force after that.

Boro's comeback began just before the hour mark when Graham made amends for his earlier error by embarking on a dazzling run that culminated in him beating Enckelman from close range.

And 10 minutes later the scores were level as Johnson crossed for Sebastian Hines to power home a header.

That set up a tense finale and Rovers had a couple of late chances to win it.

First, Turnbull denied Jansen, then Bothroyd went close with a shot that flashed across the face of goal in the dying seconds.

BORO: Turnbull; Davies (Reed 9), Taylor, Kennedy, Bates, Wheater, McMahon, Hines, Christie, Graham, Johnson. Not used subs: Knight, Clough.

ROVERS: Enckelman; Peers, Morgan (Taylor 77), Bruce, Fitzgerald, Johansson, Harkins, Douglas, Jansen, Johnson, Bothroyd. Not used subs: Yelldell, Derbyshire, Byrom, Hodge.