Nathan Jones felt Luton’s late equaliser gave them a deserved, and justified, point at Ewood Park – and slammed Darragh Lenihan’s ‘terrible challenge’ which left midfielder Allan Campbell with ankle ligament damage.

Lenihan’s challenge left Jones incensed and was punished only by a yellow card, a decision the Luton boss branded a ‘game-changer’.

Luke Berry came off the bench to score twice, including a 98th minute equaliser, to give Luton a point that Jones felt his side merited for their endeavour.

He reserved praise for goalkeeper Simon Sluga who made an excellent double-save to deny Ben Brereton and Sam Gallagher as Rovers tried to kill the game off, but it was his side’s attitude which most impressed Jones, particular after losing two players ahead of kick-off, and then Campbell in the early stages.

He said: “We lost someone to a terrible challenge in the first 10 minutes, and that adversity rocked us.

“They then had two chances and scored them both with moments of real quality and we know they have that.

“Second half we came about with a little bit more endeavour, risked a few more things and could have been caught on the counter, but we deserved a point for me.

“Cameron Jerome had a glorious chance to make it 2-1, we scored a perfectly legitimately goal, and with a bit more quality we could have scored more.

“Simon Sluga made a double save a couple of minutes before and I think we got a deserved equaliser for all that we’ve been through. We showed real character.

“The players showed phenomenal character on what is a tough place to come, Blackburn are a good Championship side and get a point and that’s what it’s all about.

“Blackburn showed better quality in and around the final third than we did, that’s what we need. They’ve been able to spend a hell of a lot of money on that quality, we have to develop that. But I’m delighted and really proud of my group.”

Lenihan’s challenge sparked confrontational scenes on the touchline between Tony Mowbray and opposite number Jones who revealed Campbell has sustained ankle ligament damage as a result.

He added: “Let’s clarify, I know Darragh, I know he’s not malicious in any way, but it’s a terrible challenge. It’s a season-ending challenge.

“If his ankle ligament doesn’t go, his leg does, so praise the lord it’s his ankle ligament and not his leg because it’s a terrible challenge.

“I’ve been in to see the referee, calmly, because he has to see that. It’s a game-changer because 10 minutes later he plays a ball inside, they break, and they score.

“It’s an absolute game-changing challenge.

“We lost Jordan Clark to the most horrific challenge at West Brom, nothing, and then again, maybe we’re too nice?”