BLACKBURN Rovers were unable to convert some heavy pressure into a goal as Stoke City took an undeserved 2-0 led into the break.

Stoke City skipper Danny Higginbotham volleyed the hosts into the lead on nine minutes, following some slack Rovers defending.

Liam Lawrence's left wing corner was initially headed clear by Martin Olsson but Higginbotham spun of Pascal Chimbona to fire the loose ball past Paul Robinson.

Franco Di Santo should have levelled for Rovers on 20 minutes though as he headed over from close range after Morten Gamst Pedersen's right wing corner.

Chris Samba then saw a header cleared off the line by Dean Whitehead as a succession of Pedersen corners caused panic in the Stoke defence.

Steven Nzonzi then volleyed over the bar from 10 yards but Rovers were able to turn their dominance into an equaliser.

To make matters even worse Mamady Sidibe ghosted away from Gael Givet at the far post to prod home Matthew Etherington's cross.