NEW Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Lambert told his players they had no reason to feel ‘too dejected’ after a late equaliser denied them their first back-to-back wins of the season.

First goals of the campaign from Hope Akpan and Corry Evans, sandwiched either side of Modou Sougou’s equaliser, had set Rovers up for a second straight success following their 2-1 victory at Preston North End in Lambert’s first game in charge.

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But with six minutes of normal time remaining Portugal international striker Lucas Joao, who was introduced at half-time, struck to earn Capital One Cup quarter-finalists Sheffield Wednesday a 2-2 draw which means they have now lost just one of their last 15 matches in all competitions.

Lambert, who was given a rapturous reception when he was introduced to the Ewood Park faithful before kick-off, said: “It’s funny when you draw a game like that, the dressing room becomes a bit low.

“But I think that can be a bit false because the effort and work-rate was excellent. I know that should be a given, anyway, but I think what’s happened over the last couple of weeks has been a big compliment to me. The players have been excellent on that.

“We were up against a really good side, who beat Arsenal not that long ago, and if you can’t win a game, you make sure you don’t lose it.

“We’ve got so much work to do here, it’s going to be a case of seeing what the lads have got to offer, but the application and desire is excellent.

“I think you always mark how squad a strong is by a bench and Sheffield Wednesday’s bench is strong. That’s something we’ll try and create here; to be very strong from the whole squad.”

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Joao’s fourth goal from the bench this season came while Rovers captain Grant Hanley lay injured in the Owls’ penalty area.

Asked whether the referee should have stopped play, or whether Wednesday should have kicked the ball out, Lambert: “I think it’s a grey area. The referee is in an awkward position.

“He doesn’t have to blow unless the other team kicks it out. I can understand why Sheffield Wednesday never done it. Is that fair play? It’s a hard one to call.

“But it never helped us because Grant, who I thought was outstanding, was injured at the time.”

Joao headed in a scuffed cross from Liam Palmer and Lambert felt the Owls’ first leveller, which Sougou turned in after Kieran Lee hit the post, also owed a great deal to fortune.

“While any manager will say it, I thought the goals they scored were fortuitous,” he said.

“But the second one, in particular, was a blow because I thought we were going to see it through.

“But I said to the lads, ‘don’t be too dejected’. Sometimes a point is a good point, and they are a good side with a strong squad.

“I thought we were well worthy of getting something.”

Asked how Hanley, who had to be helped off the pitch, was, Lambert said: “Hopefully he’s okay.

“If Grant Hanley comes off you know there is a problem but hopefully it’s not too bad and we’ve got a week to see if he’s fit.”