Simon Parker was pleased with Blackburn Rovers Women's execution of tactical tweaks in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

Emma Taylor powered a header in from Jemima Dahou’s corner on 51 minutes as Simon Parker’s side came from behind to secure a share of the spoils against the Wearside outfit.

Rovers were behind at the break after Jessie Stapleton’s opener with 18 minutes played prior to Taylor’s equaliser, which secured the point for Rovers in a Barclays Women's Championship clash under the lights at Ewood Park.

Parker said: “I was pleased on the whole. We changed a few things. We wanted to be a little bit more aggressive and on the front foot, and I think in moments we did that.

“A few of the players had really strong performances in that aspect. Niamh was very aggressive when she was jumping onto their full-back, the centre-backs did really well, jumping out and going into those wide areas.

“We knew that there could be risks with that, but I thought that the team did really well. They had a lot more of the ball than we usually have and part of that was due to Sunderland, they like sitting in that block, so there are still elements that we have to improve on but it was a good performance off the back of the Portsmouth game.

“We knew we had to make sure that the work ethic and energy was there, so we could put on a performance that we could feel proud of, and we did that.

“I think that there needed to be a shift in mindset, and I think the girls really did that and that was probably the main difference.”

Parker hopes that his squad can keep up the intensity and feels that the group is united as one moving forward into Charlton Athletic away next Sunday.

He added: “We’ve had more time working together and this was the first-week post-Christmas that we have been able to have full training, and we’ve got a few new players, so that consistent training week has helped.

“That will allow us to keep working on it and to improve the intensity. I think everyone is really behind the idea of what we want to do.”

Sunderland took an early lead at Ewood Park as they made the breakthrough after 18 minutes. Stapleton met Katie Kitching’s corner and turned it beyond Poppy Soper.

Melanie Reay’s Lasses nearly went two ahead midway through the half, as Kitching’s cross was flicked on, only for Rovers to clear off the line.

Rovers pushed for a levelling goal in front of their own supporters, with Sunderland’s defence thwarting any attempts made forward by the hosts.

Early on in the second-half, Niamh Murphy cut inside to strike powerfully at goal, which was pushed around the post by Demi Lambourne.

From the resulting corner, delivered by Dahou, Rovers were level through Taylor’s header beyond a crowd and past Lambourne.

Buoyed by the equaliser, Rovers pushed for a second, with Jessica Brown throwing herself to deny Maria Edwards’ strike. Poppy Soper had to be at her best to keep out Libbi McInnes following Emily Scarr’s cross.

Rachel Dugdale and Lucy Newell were called into action in the Rovers back line to clear crosses from McInnes and Kitching.

Soper then denied Eleanor Dale superbly, pushing her header onto the crossbar as Rovers cleared to safety.

In the six minutes of injury time, Soper held firm to deny Amy Goddard’s header after she met Scarr’s corner, as Rovers earned a point at home.

Next up for Rovers is a trip to Charlton Athletic away at The Valley on Sunday 2nd February.

Rovers: Soper, Murphy, Taylor, Hack, Dugdale (Settle 84), Newell, Toland ©, Dahou (Luke 84), Walters (Williams 67), Primmer (Davies 67), Edwards (Crompton 84)

Subs not used: Brooks, Clarkson, Coulthard