THE last time Steve Parkin made the trip to Ewood Park he was on the end of a 6-1 thumping with his old club Rochdale in the Worthington Cup.

The scenario is set up again as Dale had then forced a 1-1 draw in the first leg - and his new club Barnsley did just that at Oakwell against the odds in the FA Cup third round earlier this month.

They now face a tough replay at Ewood Park but Parkin is in no doubt that the same punishment won't be meted out on his side.

"That was a different situation to this. It was a different League, a different time.

"We expect a tough game, there is no doubt about that, but we are as ready as we'll ever be and looking forward to making the trip.

"Looking back on the first game at Oakwell when they scored so late, you always wish that you had held on but, at the end of the day, I think a draw was a fair result."

Parkin had picked out Damien Duff as the main dangerman but the winger missed the first encounter with a groin injury.

He should be back for tonight's clash and Parkin is wary of the Republic of Ireland international.

"He's a good player, very direct and I saw him against Sheffield Wednesday where he was excellent.

"He creates goals and will be a good test for our young 19-year-old right back David Mulligan.

"Saying that, the lad who came in for him last time did well anyway so they are all a threat.

"But we've got to make sure we don't give Duff time and space on the ball."

Star striker Andrew Cole is ineligible for this tie, as he was in the first game.

"It doesn't matter there are still a lot of really good players waiting in the wings who can perform at the highest level," said the 36-year-old former Dale and Mansfield boss.

"Tugay is a wonderful midfielder and Craig Hignett has never looked back since he scored against us. I think we've set him on a roll.

"He is popular in Barnsley so the fans will be pleased to see him again just as long as he's not celebrating a goal as he did in the first match!"

Parkin has turned the Tykes around. They were languishing in the relegation zone before his arrival when he took over from Nigel Spackman in November.

Since then he has worked on their fitness - ruling out a breakfast they had at the club - and turning them into a force to be reckoned with in Division One.

He won the manager of the month award for December and they are currently in the midst of a nine match unbeaten run - the Rovers draw included.

"Obviously, the FA Cup is not a priority for us, the League is the most important," he said.

"But our job is to go to Blackburn and give a good account of ourselves in the build up for what is a big game against Bradford at the weekend -- that is a crucial match for us."

And they are hoping to warm up for that Yorkshire derby by hitting the target as, after Mike Sheron had scored in six in seven games prior to the first game with Rovers, the last two league encounters have been goalless draws while Darren Barnard scored the wonder goal against Blackburn.

"We've had two blips in the league but I'm not worried about it as we were scoring for fun prior to that," admitted the boss.

"It is not a worry and we are just looking forward to the game, playing against a Premiership side again."

There had been rumours of a rift between Parkin and Rovers boss Graeme Souness following the Rochdale game where Blackburn were awarded a controversial penalty just before half-time to make it 2-1 which led to Dale's eventual collapse.

"That was ages ago and it was nothing. It was the penalty decision, one of those things.

"The staff at Blackburn, Graeme, Phil and Tony all came into the office at Barnsley after the game and had a drink with us so there isn't a problem.

"They were full of compliments about us and it was nice."

And, if they do get through, what does he think of the draw - a trip to Millwall?

"Probably the same way that Blackburn thought about it!" was all he would say.