United facing uphill battle

MANCHESTER UNITED found their route to Cardiff blocked by stubborn Blackburn at Old Trafford last night.

After a frustrating opening period, Paul Scholes put the home side in front just before the hour, only for David Thompson to pull the holders level almost immediately.

Despite fielding the strongest side available to him, Alex Ferguson had to wait until the first minute of stoppage time of the opening half for his side to create a meaningful shooting chance, Brad Friedel gathering Ruud van Nistelrooy's six-yard effort at the second attempt.

Stand-in skipper Gary Neville was hauled out for a warning by referee Uriah Rennie after charging into Tugay from behind but United managed to snuff out any danger posed by the free-kick.

A Mikael Silvestre cross from the left almost created the first home chance, as did David Beckham when his chip to the edge of the six-yard box almost found Paul Scholes.

It took United seven minutes to win their first corner, when Lucas Neill nodded a crossfield Beckham pass behind his own line but Brad Friedel came out confidently to punch clear.

Blackburn were looking composed in possession and Wes Brown did well to brush Cole off the ball as he looked to retrieve James McEveley's long ball inside the home penalty area.

The incident sparked United into life, Giggs finding Scholes 10 yards out, only for Andy Todd to close down the England man's space at the price of a corner.

Beckham's short kick was swung into the area by Phil Neville and when the Rovers defence cleared, Veron was on hand to drive a first-time shot inches wide of the post.

Scholes then found Beckham, who had drifted onto the right touchline, with a superb left-footed pass. A combination of Blackburn defenders again managed to clear but the ball once more fell to Veron, whose shot flicked off a visitor's boot and flashed wide.

Cole was amazed to find that his harmless shot managed to gain his side a corner, although United's defence was strong and David Dunn fired a speculative shot high over the bar as the rebound fell to his feet.

It proved to be Dunn's last involvement as he limped off to give Gillespie his chance. While Blackburn were coping quite well with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Scholes was a different matter and he spirited between Todd and Martin Taylor to come within inches of reaching another Beckham cross.

At the other end, Barthez fumbled a speculative Neill effort round his post, although the established pattern of disappointing corners continued.

United countered immediately, Veron supplying the cross which McEveley nodded behind under pressure from Beckham. Veron needed treatment after being felled by Thompson, then Flitcroft sent Giggs flying in a dangerous position. Beckham scored from a similar position against Portsmouth but after netting in three successive games, he could not find his range last night and his shot sailed over.

Van Nistelrooy could not reach a Beckham through ball which Friedel advanced to collect, then Veron fired harmlessly wide from the angle of the penalty area.

Beckham got inside McEveley and advanced to the by-line before drilling a cross to the near post which van Nistelrooy should have converted but somehow spooned over from barely four yards.

Thompson was fouled twice in quick succession by Phil Neville and Veron. The first challenge brought a yellow card, the second set up the free-kick which Thompson drilled through the wall, forcing Barthez into a low stop.

United finally managed to break the deadlock just before the hour and it was no surprise that Beckham was its architect and Scholes the scorer.

Neill should have cleared the low cross Beckham drove into the area from his right-hand berth but could only get the faintest of touches and Scholes was handily placed to force the ball over as Friedel tried to block.

However, the visitors summoned up an immediate response, levelling through the excellent Thompson, who managed to steal into a central position eight yards out without a United defender in sight as he nodded home Gillespie's free-kick.

After that Blackburn were under greater pressure than they had been at any time in the contest, yet they were soon to break and come within inches of grabbing a winner.

Cole created the initial danger when he took possession on the left edge of the penalty area, firing over a cross which United twice failed to clear before it eventually fell to Yorke.

His effort was blocked but Gillespie reached the loose ball as it was about to cross the by-line, firing towards a goal which Barthez had vacated, only for Brown to head off the line.

Diego Forlan was thrown on for Phil Neville as United chased a winner, but five minutes from time they were fortunate Rennie didn't award a spot kick for Silvestre's shove on Neill, which only saw the Australian shown a yellow card for diving.

There might have been one final twist when Solskjaer somehow found space on the left side of the box. The Norwegian ooked certain to score but somehow McEveley blocked on the line with his chest to ensure the decider starts level in two weeks' time.

MAN UTD: Barthez, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Beckham, Veron, Phil Neville, Giggs, Scholes, van Nistelrooy.

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Neill, Taylor, Todd, McEveley, Thompson, Tugay, Flitcroft, Dunn, Cole, Yorke.

Referee: U Rennie.

Gillingham survived an early scare against Sheffield Wednesday to cruise into the fourth round of the FA Cup on a 4-1 scoreline and set up a home tie against Leeds United.