Stoke City Battles Back to Earn Draw Against Blackburn

Adam Forshaw's rare goal put Blackburn on the path to a crucial point in their bid for Championship survival, but Stoke City fought back to secure a 1-1 draw despite finishing with 10 men. Forshaw, who had not scored in over a year, gave Rovers the lead in the 21st minute with a beautifully curled effort from 20 yards. However, his strike was cancelled out by Crystal Palace loanee Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who levelled for Stoke in the 56th minute. The hosts then faced an uphill task when Ash Phillips was sent off for a second bookable offence with just three minutes remaining. The result extends Blackburn's unbeaten run to five games and moves them four points clear of the relegation zone. Stoke, meanwhile, are still seeking consistency, and manager Mark Robins acknowledged the frustration among fans but emphasized the need for patience and unity in their quest for improvement. For Blackburn boss Michael O'Neill, the point was a valuable one, and he urged his team to build on their recent form and belief as they head into the final four games of the season.