BLACKBURN defender Andre Ooijer believes Rovers should have been awarded a penalty in Saturday's goalless draw with Liverpool.

As Rovers pressed hard for a winner during the second half of an enthralling contest at Ewood, Ooijer hooked a shot goalwards, which clearly struck Jamie Carragher on the arm.

However, the Dutchman's frantic appeal for a penalty fell on deaf ears as referee, Martin Atkinson, refused to point to the spot, meaning Rovers were denied the chance to extend their winning run to eight matches.

"I had my back to the situation so I couldn't see it myself but my feeling was it hit something which wasn't his body - maybe his arm or something like that," revealed Ooijer.

"However, the referee didn't give it and I thought he had a good game overall, so there's not a lot we can do about it now."

Ooijer's frustrations were compounded by the fact he was penalised for an almost identical offence at Aston Villa last season, at a time when he was still adjusting to the pace of the English game.

"That's what I said to him (the referee) after it happened," the Dutch international said.

"As we walked back to the halfway line together I said, Come on ref, that was a penalty', but he replied, you would have slaughtered me if I'd given it against you'.

"But I then said, Wait a minute. In my first few games in England, I gave away several penalties like that, so we should get them for the same thing.' "I guess you have to be a little bit lucky in those situations but it's not an issue now. It's gone."

Although Rovers were frustrated not to claim all three points and extend their winning run, they remain unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, an impressive sequence which means they will head to Old Trafford on Sunday in excellent spirits.

"We're still unbeaten and we've got to try to keep the run going," added Ooijer.

"We can have a good week building up to United now."