Blackburn Rovers fans have been left split on the value of their point at Stoke City.
Despite extending their unbeaten run to five matches, they saw their gap to the relegation zone reduced from six points to four. Results elsewhere meant that the point at the Bet365 Stadium didn't feel quite as sweet come 5pm.
Rovers could've perhaps had more but didn't capitalise enough on a dominant first 30 minutes. Adam Forshaw's goal was excellent but was cancelled out by Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Even though Stoke ended the game with ten men, it's impossible to say they didn't deserve something on the balance of chances.
Lancashire Telegraph breaks down a missed after in the Potteries.
A bright start
Rovers were very good in the first half an hour. At times, I didn't think it was clear which team was fighting relegation.
They played the Stoke crowd well. Mark Robins made the point in a passionate five-minute plea that the home fans were anxious and moody which didn't help his players. Rovers used that to their advantage.
They'd already fashioned a very good chance for Ryoya Morishita - one he should have done far better with - before opening the scoring.
It's a lovely move with the two Japanese internationals dovetailing nicely. Ryan Alebiosu sets it back for Forshaw and it's begging to be hit. He struck it likely a man in fantastic form.
There were other moments too. Yuki Ohashi had a great sight of goal but elected to dive as he tried to round Gavin Bazunu. He was rightly booked for simulation. Rovers had Stoke where they wanted, approaching half-time.
LISTEN: STOKE 1-1 ROVERS DEBRIEF
Letting the game drift
The frustration for Rovers is they took their foot of the gas. They had Stoke in a chokehold but didn't kill them off. They didn't stamp on their neck and truly take advantage.
Stoke began to worm their way back in and Rovers became a bit passive. Eiran Cashin had to make a brilliant goal-line block to keep out Sam Gallagher's strike whilst last-ditch blocks and tackles were required to ensure they were ahead at the break.
In the second half, they didn't really come to life either. It wasn't until Million Manhoef squared for Rak-Sakyi (it may have even been a Yuri Ribeiro own goal) that they came back to life briefly.
I don't think it was complacency but they were guilty of letting the game drift. With a jubilant away end chanting 'we are staying up', maybe they thought that was true? Perhaps that's just poor amateur psychology on my part and perhaps the reality is tired legs began to creep in.
If there's to be any regrets, rather than looking at what Oxford and Portsmouth did, I think from minute 30 to 60, they could've been more positive and hammered home their advantage.
A game they could have lost
It's not until you perhaps step away and look at the chance count that you realise, they could've easily lost. Robins outlined it was his side that actually had more big moments and he's right.
Gallagher's chance, the goal, Rak-Sakyi bent another one wide. Then their golden chance, a cross to the back post for Lamine Cisse to tap in.
It's a remarkable save from Balazs Toth - and not one I relaised he'd made on first viewing. Several of us were left bemused when not only did the net not bulge but the ball went backwards. It looked like it had come off his heel and he'd somehow missed.
Obviously on replay, it's clear that it's another brilliant save by the Rovers number one. Cisse should bury it but credit to Toth, who actually ensured that the visitors got something from the match.
There was an element to Derby (A) about the second half except against a poorer side. Rovers were also better than that and so deserved a draw.
Fantastic Forshaw and Cashin
The two best performers were Cashin and Forshaw, who I've already outlined for having decisive moments in the game.
Forshaw was the best player on the pitch for 30 minutes. He's having a real renaissance and playing his best football in years. His intelligence is being maximised but he's also sharp and tenacious into tackles. Full credit to him for stepping up when needed.
As for Cashin, he's been exceptional. To say he'd missed the last two matches and yet had to play 90 minutes too. I love everything about him, he loves defending and celebrates clearances like goals.
The best way of showcasing his best attributes was him winning a ball against Rak-Sakyi with a slide tackle. The odds were probably 80-20 against him to win it and yet he did, full-blooded. I love that.
If I was Rovers, I'd already be on the phone to Brighton, pleading to have him next season. He's been superb.
Glass half-full or half-empty?
I understand why it may feel like the air has been let out of the balloon. Particularly after that 90+7 winner for Portsmouth, which was very frustrating.
Next week's games are daunting. A win for Saints moves them level on points with Middlesbrough and suddenly eyes on third place. They're the in-form team in the league.
Coventry are coming to Ewood Park for a promotion party too. The effects of three games in six days will no doubt take their toll too.
But they still have a four-point cushion. They're five games unbeaten. And shock results happen all the time.
Sheffield Wednesday were heavy odds-on to get walloped by Coventry and drew 0-0. Rovers won at Millwall and drew with Boro. Two years ago, it was Leeds and Leicester. This is the Championship, not to overuse a tired cliché.
The most important thing is how are Rovers doing? They're playing alright. I trust Michael O'Neill, ultimately, to get them over the line. Even if things are now, understandably a bit more twitchy.
Let's face it, you didn't really expect them to have this sewn up before the final day? That's just not the Blackburn Rovers way.
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