ROVERS’ winning home run came to an end in extremely disappointing fashion as they failed to beat their rock-bottom and relegation-doomed neighbours.

The recalled Jordan Rhodes put Gary Bowyer’s side, who were chasing their fifth straight victory at Ewood Park, in front early on.

But they were pegged back before the break when they conceded from a set-piece for the fourth time in their last five matches, Grant Hall the beneficiary.

Rudy Gestede hit the bar twice after the restart but it was not until the dying stages that Blackpool’s goal came under siege and when a series of chances came and went.

Rovers’ second successive draw means they are now 12 points behind the play-offs.

And, on this evidence, that is too big a gap to bridge.

Rovers boss Bowyer made four changes to the side that started Tuesday’s last-gasp 1-1 draw at Cardiff City with Rhodes being joined in the starting line-up by Tommy Spurr, Alex Baptiste and Jay Spearing.

For Spurr it was his first competitive appearance for the club in more than 10 months after recovering from serious groin injuries.

It did not start well for the left-back when he gave away a foul dangerously close to being inside the box.

From the resulting free kick Jamie O’Hara rolled the ball across the area where Henry Cameron completely missed his kick.

And the Seasiders, chasing their first away win of the season after failing in their previous 17 attempts, were made to pay in the 14th minute.

Craig Conway barged his way past Niall Maher before passing the ball across the six-yard box for Rhodes to tap in his third goal in his last four games and his 12th of the campaign.

One should have become two when the totally unmarked Matt Kilgallon volleyed over an inswinging Tom Cairney free kick.

But for all of Rovers’ control in the first half that was the only other time they opened up their limited but determined opponents.

It still came against the run of play, though, when Blackpool equalised in the 42nd minute. Less surprising, however, was the nature of their leveller.

An O’Hara free kick, clipped into the heart of the area, was flicked on by skipper Peter Clarke and then flicked past the wrong-footed Jason Steele by Hall.

It was the 1,000th goal of the Championship season and Blackpool should have been celebrating again in added time at the end of the opening period.

The impressive O’Hara curled a 25-yard free kick against the base of the post and the ball broke back to Hall.

But, with Steele closing the angle, the on-loan Tottenham Hotspur defender could only fire the rebound into the side-netting.

It was a huge let-off for a Rovers side who, for all of their dominance of the ball on a poor and uneven pitch, were lacking in tempo and intensity.

With Chris Taylor on for Corry Evans they showed signs of improvement at the start of the second half and Rhodes was not too far away with an overhead kick.

His strike-partner Gestede went closer still when he glanced a Conway corner on to the bar.

And Rovers’ top-scorer hit the woodwork again in the 67th minute.

A corner broke to Taylor who played the ball back to its taker, Cairney.

Cairney drove into the box before chipping the ball up to Gestede whose header caressed the crossbar before flying over.

It proved to be the 15-goal forward’s last act as he was surprisingly replaced by Josh King.

King and Rhodes were then joined by another striker, Chris Brown, after half-time substitute Taylor hobbled off to add to Bowyer’s growing midfield injury concerns.

But it was not until the 88th minute that the Seasiders were seriously threatened again, Rhodes flicking wide a Conway cross.

Rhodes then saw a left-footed snap-shot saved by the underworked Joe Lewis.

At last Rovers were building up some momentum and Brown dragged an effort narrowly wide before Baptiste headed past the post.

But the goal never game and boos, from the frustrated home crowd, accompanied the final whistle.

Rovers: Steele, Baptiste, Hanley, Kilgallon, Spurr, Cairney, Spearing, Evans (Taylor 46 (Brown 80)), Conway, Rhodes, Gestede (King 68). Subs not used: Eastwood, Olsson, Williamson, Duffy.

Goal: Rhodes 14.

Blackpool: Lewis, Maher (Rothwell 68), Clarke, Hall, Dunne, Perkins, O’Hara, Ferguson, Cameron (McMahon 53), Telford (Delfouneso 60), Madine. Subs not used: Parish, Oliver, Cubero, Samuel.

Booked: Maher.

Goal: Hall 42.

Referee: Mick Russell.

Attendance: 14,906.