Rafael Benitez admitted that a replay didn't suit him - but added: "it’s better than to lose".

A Matt Ritchie penalty six minutes from time saw Newcastle earn a replay at Ewood Park after Bradley Dack threatened an upset when putting Rovers ahead with his 56th minute header.

Benitez had made eight changes for the game, choosing to focus on Premier League survival, with his side three points above the dropzone. And for that reason, the Spaniard says an extra game doesn't him or his players.

He said: "We didn’t want another game - we wanted to win - but, after losing, we needed to react, and the reaction of the team in the final minutes was quite good.

"It’s a pity we have to play another game but it’s better than to lose

“I'm disappointed because we have to play another game. When you play at home, you have to try to finish. We didn’t play at the level that I was expecting, but at least the reaction was quite good.

“Another game, another situation that you have to manage with more minutes, more players, more risk."

Benitez made three second half substitutes, sending on Jonjo Shelvey, Christian Atsu and Ayoze Perez who won the penalty from which Ritchie scored.

Seeing positives, the Magpies boss added:“Some young players playing, some players who have not been playing having 90 minutes under their belts, the reaction of the team after we conceded and Florian Lejeune coming back after four and a half months with a serious injury.

"Some players haven’t had a chance to play 90 minutes so it was an opportunity for them to show what they have and I think they worked hard.

“Those are positives.

“You could see how they were running for every single ball and then sometimes it’s more difficult for you to play with the confidence that you have to play with.

“But overall, the reaction of the team was good in the final minutes and I take that as a positive.”

A crowd of under 40,000 were in attendance at St James' Park for the game which kicked off at 5.30pm.

Asked about the attendance, Benitez added: “You are playing against a Championship team, but they come, a lot of them, to support the team, so will try to do well and if we can carry on in the competition, we will see if we can do it.”