MAURO Formica scored his first senior Blackburn Rovers goal as they drew 1-1 with Morecambe at the Globe Arena.

The Argentine play maker, who joined for £3.5million in January, started the game slowly but showed his threat as the game wore on.

Morecambe took the lead on 25 minutes through Phil Jevons, as the former Bristol City striker latched on to a long ball and volleyed past Mark Bunn.

Jevons could have doubled the lead near half time but his volley flew over this time after again catching Rovers' defence cold.

Rovers had their chances in the opening half as well though with David Dunn looking lively in the heart of the midfield and Nick Blackman impressing on the left wing.

Jason Roberts had a goal bound shot blocked after a neat move down the right involving Brett Emerton and Michel Salgado, while the quiet Mauro Formica also saw a header blocked.

After the break, with Matt Pearson on for Chris Samba, Rovers struggled to get their game going with League Two Morecame more than holding their own.

Dunn continued to look Rovers' most dangerous player and went close with two long-range strikes midway through the half, both of which were parried away by Barry Roche.

Formica then had a volley blocked, before seeing a 30-yard lob go over, while Blackman was denied a blatant penalty.

Argentine Formica started to grow into the game as the half wore on and, after seeing a couple of shots deflected wide, was rewarded with the equaliser.

Dunn's header kindly fell into his path and after collecting well, he emphatically fired the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

ROVERS: Mark Bunn, Michel Salgado, Myles Anderson, Chris Samba, Gavin Gunning, Steven Nzonzi, Brett Emerton, David Dunn, Nick Blackman, Mauro Formica, Jason Roberts.

Subs: Matt Pearson for Samba (46), Zac Aley for Emerton (65), Jake Kean for Bunn (65)Adam Henley for Roberts (80).

MORECAMBE: Roche, McCready, Fenton, Wilson, Haining, Reid, Drummond, Hunter, Alessandra, Jevons, Carlton.

Subs: Cowperthwaite for Fenton (46), Charnock for Wilson (46), Routledge for Roche (64), Fleming for Drummond (64), Culshaw for Haining (66), Breen for Jevons (88).