Blackburn Rovers rescued a point in stoppage time as Danny Batth scored to earn a 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.

John Eustace's defended heroically and restricted the promotion chasers to very little throughout the contest. But it looked like it would be late heartbreak when Leeds found a way through on 88 minutes.

Dom Hyam was judged to have brought down substitute Mateo Joseph in the penalty area. Pascal Struijk stepped up and sent Aynsley Pears the wrong way in what looked like the winner.

But Rovers do not fold easily under this head coach. Despite spending very little of the second half in the opposition's half, they rallied and found an even later equaliser.

Just a few minutes later, Makhtar Gueye nodded a corner back into the middle for Batth to sweep home. Jubilation on the Rovers bench who celebrated wildly to the annoyance of those in the opposite dugout.

But it was a point well earned on the balance of chances, even if Leeds dominated every other metric. They simply didn't do enough to break Rovers down, who were organised and resolute to earn a point.

Rovers were hoping to continue the 2024 tradition of beating Leeds United in their first outing of the New Year. John Eustace was aiming for a hat-trick of successive wins against the Whites since taking over at Ewood Park.

Only their arch-Lancashire rivals, Burnley, had managed to earn three points at Elland Road this term. The Whites were on a run of nine successive Championship wins at home, making this the hardest place to win in the division.

Rovers made three changes for the Elland Road clash with Todd Cantwell absent due to illness. Andi Weimann, Ryan Hedges and Yuki Ohashi were all recalled with Amario Cozier-Duberry and Gueye dropping to the bench.

With two teenagers on the bench without a Championship minute to their name, it was a further example of why Eustace needs reinforcements this month. With four long-term injuries, the squad looked stretched.

Rovers set up in a 4-4-2 mid-block to try and restrict space centrally and force Leeds down the flanks. Neither team gave much away in the early exchanges with a couple of comical slips from Pears the highlight of the action.

When Blackburn's backline were asked to defend the crosses that inevitably came, they dealt with them manfully. At the other end, they continued to harass and harry hoping for a golden opportunity.

Batth had his head in his hands when he didn't make contact with an inswinging corner. The defender had wrestled himself free but somehow didn't get anything on it.

Harry Leonard had to be drafted in before half-time after Ohashi was forced off with an ankle injury. The striker took a blow earlier in the half from a strong but clean Jayden Bogle challenge.

Leeds were unable to get behind the Rovers backline for most of the half but had one chance just before the interval. Dan James scampered behind and crossed for a tap-in but Hyam read the situation and was able to come across to divert the danger.

The second half took on the same narrative but with each passing minutes, Rovers began to slope closer to their own goal. But as the hour-mark passed, Leeds still had no answer to their defensive structure.

Having kept clean sheets in their last two encounter against the Whites, Daniel Farke was no doubt scratching his head thinking of a way to change the direction of the match. It seemed increasingly likely that if this was to avoid ending goalless, it would need a moment of magic or a mistake.

That almost came from the boot of Manor Solomon, who produced a brilliant low cross which was begging for a touch. Fortunately for Rovers, the Leeds attackers were caught on their heels.

Blackburn had shown very little as an attacking unit in the second half but on a rare foray forward, they fashioned an opening. Leonard getting his head to a Callum Brittain cross but he couldn't generate enough pace and it was comfortable for the goalkeeper.

Aaronson then created Leeds' best opening as he skipped past Tyrhys Dolan but his powerful shot continued to rise and was comfortably over the bar.

With fewer than five minutes of regulation time remaining, Leeds finally broke Rovers' resolve. Hyam was judged to have brought down Joseph in the box and Struijk scored from the penalty spot. A cruel late blow after such a staunch defensive effort.

But this Rovers side is amde os strong stuff these days. Despite the late setback they went up the other end and rescued themselves a point.

A corner was swung in, Makhtar Gueye nodded it back into the middle and Batth was able to sweep it into the corner. The Blackburn bench exploded, led by Weimann, much to the annoyance of the hosts.

With 10 minutes added on, there was still time for more Leeds pressure. Pears saved well from Max Wobber at the back post but the hosts struggled to create any more big chances.

So despite the fixture congestion, form book and injury issues, Rovers started 2025 as they ended 2024, defying the odds.