Andreas Weimann stunning goal for Blackburn levelled the scores at Turf Moor
Andreas Weimann's sensational dipping volley earned Blackburn Rovers a hard-fought point at rivals Burnley in an entertaining East Lancashire derby.
The Austrian international's goal midway through the first half cancelled out Lyle Foster's thumping header following a flowing Burnley move.
Striker Makhtar Gueye's red card in the second half meant Rovers were forced to defend deep into their own half for the last half hour of the match.
The point means Rovers remain unbeaten in third in the Championship table while Burnley climb one place to fourth.
Clarets head coach Scott Parker demanded a fast start following Wednesday's Carabao Cup exit to Wolves but his side almost pressed the self-destruct button after just 16 seconds when James Trafford's poor clearance went straight to Weimann but his lobbed effort cleared the crossbar.
Burnley settled quickly after, however, and opened the scoring on 10 minutes.
A ball down the line was beautifully backheeled by skipper Josh Brownhill, setting up debutant Jaidon Anthony who was able to get in behind the Rovers defence on the left-hand side before delivering the perfect cross for Foster to head home.
At that stage, it looked like the home side were on their way to claim their sixth consecutive league win over their bitter rivals and the dangerous Luca Koleosho's deflected effort forced goalkeeper Aynsley Pears to readjust and make a comfortable save.
A minute later came the moment of the match.
A long ball from Pears was flicked on by Gueye to Weimann who sent a fabulous volley over the helpless Trafford in the Burnley goal from 30 yards to send the travelling support into raptures.
Five minutes later, Rovers' Tyrhys Dolan ran through on goal to score past Trafford but play had been brought up for an offside against winger Ryan Hedges in the build-up.
Replays suggested the Rovers man was level with Burnley defender Maxime Esteve although the French defender had arguably been fouled in his attempts to play the ball.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Gueye picked up a second yellow card for dissent after demanding referee Tony Harrington brandish a yellow card following a foul by Esteve.
Inevitably, the away side dropped deep into their own half to protect their point and limited Burnley to mainly shots from distance.
Deep into stoppage time, Rovers captain Lewis Travis could have nicked it but he lashed a wayward shot over Trafford's bar following a fast counter attack, meaning the spoils were deservedly shared in an often frantic and entertaining local derby.
Burnley head coach Scott Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I think we're frustrated. I thought we dominated the game at the start. We were 1-0 up and was well worthy of that. In terms of in and out of possession I thought we looked very good and then a wonder goal from them gives us a little bit of a jab on the nose.
"The one disappointment from today is, once the sending off [happened], I felt we became a bit rushed. We were desperate to score but it probably went a bit against us a little bit."
On the atmosphere inside Turf Moor:
"It was incredible. It lived up to every aspect of a derby match. I've said it many times that these fans are going to be vital for us this year and today they were every bit of that."
Blackburn head coach John Eustace to BBC Radio Lancashire:
"Very proud of the group, very proud of the effort. I thought it was a fantastic performance. We always knew here the first 20 minutes would be very hostile and the way they play with a very fast tempo.
"The way we conceded was very poor but we grew into the game and we scored a fantastic goal.
"That's why we brought Andy Weimann to the football club [because he has] great experience. What he brings is class on and off the pitch."
On Makhtar Gueye's red card:
"When you raise your hand and you put a yellow card to the referee you're going to get another yellow card. His first booking was very, very harsh, I don't think that should have been a booking. I think he's got to the learn what the Championship's all about, he's got to learn that he can't do that."
