Cardiff City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn's Craig Conway holds off Cardiff's Lee Peltier

Former Cardiff striker Rudy Gestede returned to deny the Bluebirds a win over Blackburn with a late equaliser.

Sean Morrison headed in Peter Whittingham's corner to break the deadlock with six minutes left.

Gestede levelled with a close-range strike in the 90th minute to leave Cardiff without a win in seven.

And a second 1-1 draw of 2014-15 means Blackburn have not won any of their last nine matches away in the league.

Rovers remained ninth in the table, 10 points off the play-off zone while Cardiff climbed two spots to 15th.

Sean Morrison heads in Cardiff's goal

Gary Bowyer's side arrived in buoyant mood after a 4-1 FA Cup win over Stoke at the weekend.

Cardiff, who were tipped for an immediate return to the Premier League, went into the game with manager Russell Slade having already said that aim was "unrealistic".

The Bluebirds brought in Paul Trollope as head coach ahead of Blackburn's visit to Cardiff City Stadium.

And while Slade welcomed the appointment, he also expected Gestede to offer a threat up front.

Gestede delivered on that promise, much to the dismay of a home crowd, who saw Morrison use his 6ft 4in frame to good effect as he rose to meet Whittingham's feed.

With Trollope's vocal motivation from the sideline, Cardiff's zest returned from the opening minute.

Debutant Matthew Kennedy joined Craig Noone in threatening out wide while Eoin Doyle also caught the eye in his first home start since joining from Chesterfield.

Aron Gunnarsson denied Josh King from adding to his hat-trick against Stoke with with another goal.

Morrison seemed to have sealed three points with his effort, but Gestede earned a point as he fired home in the final minute of normal time.

Cardiff boss Russell Slade:

"It is frustrating we did not get all three points but that was a much better performance.

"There are signs of improvement and the pity is we were punished on the only occasion where we did not defend properly."

Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer:

"When you pick points up away from home you are happy. We conceded late, but we came back in a great manner.

"After the effort they put in against Stoke, the attitude and application of our lads was excellent."