Marcus Antonsson’s missed penalty – he wasn’t the only one to miss a glorious chance – at struggling Northampton prevented Blackburn from making it seven wins in a row on Saturday.
Northampton had taken the lead at Sixfields through Sam Foley’s first half goal. Bradley Dack drew Rovers level but a winner couldn’t be found.
Craig Conway went close to finding that winner, which looked as if it would come five minutes from time but on-loan Leeds forward Antonsson – who had won the penalty – saw his spot kick kept out by Cobblers goalkeeper David Cornell.
A disappointed Tony Mowbray told the Official Website: ‘I’m disappointed to only take a point. We just couldn’t get to our usual intensity or levels. I don’t want to make excuses or a deal of things but I do believe illness in the camp was a reason for our lack of energy.’
He went on to admit it had been a poor performance with Conway apologetic for his earlier miss ahead of Antonsson’s failed spot kick.
‘Craig’s apologised for missing the chance just before Marcus saw his penalty saved. Marcus felt confident and unfortunately missed his kick. We haven’t played as poorly as that for a very long time.’
Mowbray did feel he had ‘to give credit to Northampton’ though as the relegation threatened side had ‘worked extremely hard for their manager.’
It could, if not should, have been all three points for Blackburn but as disappointed as Mowbray was he knows there’s still plenty of points to play for as Rovers bid to achieve the ultimate aim, automatic promotion preferably.
The boss finished: ‘We’re left frustrated to only take the point home with us. We have to get on with it. We did enough to take the points but didn’t take our chances. It was an opportunity for us to keep things rolling on but it wasn’t to be. There are still plenty of games to come for us.’
