Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez seemed almost despondent about the prospect of a replay at Ewood Park, describing the 1-1 draw as ‘bad news’ and suggesting it was the worst case scenario.

Tony Mowbray, more upbeat in his assessment, was still disappointed not to leave St James’ Park with a guaranteed spot in round four as Matt Ritchie’s late penalty cancelled out Bradley Dack’s 56th minute opener.

In the build-up, Mowbray spoke of how his fondness of the competition, recalling watching the FA Cup final in front of the television with his dad, and a host of his friends, with a spread including beef sandwiches. For Magpies boss Benitez, this game seemed something of an inconvenience.

And that was demonstrated by the two team selections. The Newcastle team showed eight changes, while Rovers made just one, as Craig Conway came in for Harrison Reed.

But while the Premier League teams may be accused of disrespect, the Football Association themselves have shown huge contempt to its own competition, with only 10 of the 32 ties kicking off at Saturday 3pm. This tie, infront of a crowd of just under 40,000 despite reduced ticket prices, was switched to 5.30pm solely for the benefit of overseas television coverage.

Mowbray made his senior debut at St James’ Park in 1982 for Middlesbrough against a Newcastle side including Kevin Keegan up front. The Magpies don’t boast such names now, but the likes of Lewis Travis can still take plenty of positives from an encouraging display against the Premier League side.

As Mowbray rightly pointed out, all of the Rovers starting XI were playing in League One earlier this calendar year.

Four years ago, a teenage David Raya was almost the FA Cup hero for non-league Southport against Derby County. And he made two early saves to keep Rovers level here, denying efforts from Joselu and Kenedy after Rovers were caught out, not for the first time, from deep set plays.

At the other end, Freddie Woodman was almost embarrassed by a Charlie Mulgrew inswinging corner which somehow missed the far post, and not turned in by Bradley Dack. 

Raya owed much to the defensive block of Elliott Bennett just after the half hour mark though, as after spilling Richie’s shot, the full back was there to block from Joselu.

Rovers gained a level of control in the second half, helped by a dominant midfield display from Corry Evans and the ever-impressive Lewis Travis. His tenacity was key in winning the free kick from which Rovers worked short to Bennett whose pinpoint cross was headed home by Bradley Dack.

The tie would have been all but over moments later, had Javi Manquillo not been in the right place to clear off the line from Mulgrew after Woodman was beaten to a left wing corner by Darragh Lenihan.

Benitez responded with three changes as Jonjo Shelvey, Christian Atsu and Ayoze Perez were sent on. They almost paid off immediately, Shelvey having two free headers at the back post, the first a much easier save than the second for Raya who parried the ball out as far as Fabian Schar whose shot was charged down by Danny Graham. And the striker had the presence of mind to get back on the line to clear from Florian Lejeune.

That dogged defending looked set to put Rovers in to round four, as the hosts became desperate. But one ball forward was nodded down by Joselu in to the path of Perez, who despite never looking like he had the ball under control, did so for long enough to draw a foul from Evans.

After a two minute wait, Richie dispatched the spot-kick, sending Raya the wrong way.

Benitez is likely to replicate his team selection at Ewood with a game against Cardiff City following the replay.

A date has been set for Tuesday, January 15. Though don’t put it in your diaries just yet, the television companies, at home or abroad, could have the biggest say.