London: Blackburn avoided a dispiriting start to their Championship promotion campaign as Tom Cairney’s strike rescued a 1-1 draw against Cardiff on Friday.
Gary Bowyer’s side fell behind in the opening match of the new second tier season when Kenwyne Jones headed home from close-range in the first half at Ewood Park.
But Rovers were able to earn a share of the spoils against one of the favourites to reach the Premier League thanks to midfielder Cairney, who scored with a long-range strike just before half-time.
The new English season almost had the most electric start when Blackburn striker Rudy Gestede appealed for a penalty in the opening moments after flicking his header into Mark Hudson’s outstretched arm near the edge of the area.
Referee Andrew Madley took his time, eventually awarding a free-kick despite television replays appearing to show Hudson’s arm was inside the area upon contact, and Cairney’s set piece crashed into the wall.
The opening goal came when Peter Whittingham’s 18th-minute free-kick was touched on by Hudson and Jones timed his run perfectly before cushioning a header beyond Robinson from close-range.
It was his first goal since February 1 and only the second of his Cardiff career following a debut strike against Norwich.
However, the hosts finished last season in excellent form and they restored parity five minutes before the break.
Star striker Jordan Rhodes showed he isn’t afraid to put in the hard yards as he stole possession from Whittingham, who had dwelt too long on the ball, and Cairney pounced to curl a fine shot past David Marshall from 25 yards.
