Harry Leonard scored a 90th-minute equaliser to earn Blackburn Rovers a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Boxing Day.

Yuki Ohashi's first goal since September had put Rovers in a great position at half-time but that all changed very quickly after the break. Strikes from Chris Rigg and Wilson Isidor flipped the game on its head.

Rovers flew out of the traps and should've led before Ohashi netted when Tyrhys Dolan went through. But he blazed over after a fine passing team move.

Ohashi made no mistake from close range as Callum Brittain's cross deflected off Dolan and into his path. Other chances came and went and in the end, that proved crucial.

Sunderland, who had fallen behind in their previous five games but collected 10 points, grew into the game before half-time and then made the pressure count after it.

Aynsley Pears saved from Isidor after a cross from the right but Rigg was on hand to scramble the ball in. Minutes later, a carbon copy saw Isidor back-flick the ball into the corner after Patrick Roberts crossed from the right.

It looked to have been enough for Sunderland to take the points after being the better side in the second half but Rovers are made of stern stuff at Ewood Park.

Off the bench, Leonard scored his first goal since October 29, 2023, to snatch a point in the 90th minute. Brittain's cross was swung over, headed down and there he was to swivel and finish to rescue a point.

Rovers needed their goalkeeper, though, to ensure it stayed level. Eliezer Mayenda ran clean through on goal in stoppage time but tried to round Pears and he denied him. He then made a smart stop from Roberts in the dying embers to ensure it finished 2-2.

Eustace's side were bidding to end a remarkable run of poor results on Boxing Day. At Championship level or higher, they hadn't won in 14 years on December 26, with the one exception to that a victory over Rochdale in League One.

Having lost to Millwall last time out, two quickfire home games were viewed as an ideal way to get back to winning ways. Fifth vs fourth before kick-off made it an enticing prospect, attracting a bumper crowd of more than 24,000 at Ewood Park.

The Rovers head coach shuffled his pack with five changes. Two of those were enforced, with Lewis Baker and Owen Beck unsurprisingly chosen to replace the stricken Lewis Travis and Harry Pickering.

Callum Brittain, Dolan and Ryan Hedges were also recalled with Todd Cantwell moving centrally to play behind Ohashi.

Rovers were searching for a third successive home win and came flying out of the traps in front of a packed Ewood Park. From the first whistle, they hunted and harried the Black Cats.

Having already whipped up a few memorable contenders for Goal of the Season, Rovers almost had another. Slick, one-touch passing saw Ohashi and Hedges exchange passes before Dolan was fed the ball. His first touch was fantastic, through the legs of the defender, but he blazed the shot over the bar.

That was a warning sign for Sunderland but they simply couldn't handle Rovers. The opening goal followed shortly after with a touch of fortune. Callum Brittain's cross was cleared but hit Dolan and bounced kindly for Ohashi, who netted his first goal since September.

More chances came and went. Minutes later, Ohashi got behind the defence and laid the ball to Hedges but his shot was weak and comfortable for Anthony Patterson in the Sunderland goal.

Sunderland then grew into the game and had their period of dominance until half-time. But Aynsley Pears was not forced into a serious save with Rovers defending their 18-yard box extremely well.

Sondre Tronstad was tasked with a man-marking job on Rigg, a sign of respect for the quality individuals Sunderland have. The Black Cats had already conceded first in their last five games but came back to win three and draw one and so were never out of the game at 1-0.

Dolan put the ball in the net for a second but he was ruled offside. There was a bit of confusion as the ball appeared to bounce off a Sunderland man but he was flagged nonetheless.

Sunderland had offered a warning at the end of the first half but needed just a few minutes to find the equaliser. They worked the overload in the wide area with Dan Neil crossing for Isidor, whose shot was saved by Pears but Rigg was able to follow up and score from close range.

That was the first of two quickfire goals which completely turned the game on its head. The second was close to a carbon copy as Roberts got down the right, this time crossing himself for Isidor to flick the ball from behind himself into the far corner.

The big striker almost had another soon after as his shot was heading goalbound but for Owen Beck to clear off the line. It might not have been going in but it certainly needed clearing with Sunderland looking dangerous in every attack.

However, Rovers don't go down without a fight at Ewood Park nowadays. As the clock ticked 90, Brittain's cross was headed down at the back post for Leonard to swivel and score for the first time since October last year.

After a horrible 12 months with injury, it was a special moment for the Academy graduate in front of the Blackburn End. Rovers have scored the most goals in the league from their substitutes and this was as valuable as any.