Referee Steve Martin and Assistant referees Mark Dwyer and Johnathon Bickerdike walk off the pitchImage source, Rex Features
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Referee Steve Martin halted the game with Blackburn 1-0 up

Blackburn Rovers' Championship game with Ipswich Town was abandoned 10 minutes from time because of heavy rain at Ewood Park.

Todd Cantwell's second-half penalty had put Rovers in front but referee Steve Martin called the players off the pitch before the match was officially called off.

Jacob Greaves was sent off for the Tractor Boys 10 minutes before Cantwell netted for Rovers.

The weather conditions had been a growing issue in the game, with water visibly impacting the movement of the ball.

A decision on whether the game will be replayed in full will be made by the EFL board.

Blackburn made a strong start and forced Alex Palmer into a save after 15 minutes. Ryoya Morishta won the ball high and drove forward before firing goalwards, but the former West Brom goalkeeper did well to hold it.

Off the back of his hat-trick in last week's victory over Sheffield United, Jaden Philogene was Ipswich's chief threat. He drove in from the left and saw an opportunity open up, but scuffed his shot wide after 26 minutes.

George Hirst forced Balazs Toth into a great save at his near post 10 minutes before half-time. After taking the ball well on his chest, he fired low and hard but was denied by a strong block.

At the other end, Lewis Miller's cross flashed across goal, evading everybody, before his long throw eventually fell to Cantwell, but he was unable to keep his volley down to trouble Palmer.

Ipswich suffered a nightmare start to the second half when Greaves was dismissed for bringing down Yuki Ohashi as he ran through on goal. Cantwell fired over from the resulting free-kick, but the home side sensed a real opportunity.

With the hour mark looming, Darnell Furlong brought Cantwell down in the area. The former Norwich City midfielder stepped up to fire Rovers in front, finding the bottom right corner.

Jack Clarke and former Rovers striker Sammy Szmodics were soon introduced for Ipswich, and they almost combined instantly but Clarke's cross from the byeline was cleared.

But once the referee took the players off the pitch, with the ball plugging on the pitch, chances of finishing the match looked bleak.

The rain was constant and the visiting support cheered when the ball did not bounce or roll during the inspection, after which the abandonment was confirmed, meaning Rovers missed out on an opportunity to grab a first home win of the season.

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