Newcastle United suffered a setback in their quest for the all-important fourth Champions League place as they made it six away draws in succession in the Premiership.
To be fair, a defeat would have been harsh on Blackburn although they were grateful for a late Jonathan Stead equaliser that salvaged a point.
The 20-year-old capture from Huddersfield made it two goals in two games and he has been an important boost in the club's struggle against relegation.
Meanwhile, Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson was able to welcome back his own crucial striker Craig Bellamy into the starting line-up after a long lay-off and the Welshman repaid his boss in the 52nd minute, reacting first to a scramble in the box to turn home.
That seemed to have been enough to secure a victory for the visitors but Blackburn's other impressive youngster, Paul Gallagher, supplied a perceptive low cross in the 85th minute and Stead arrived at the back post to beat Shay Given.
In the first half both sides showed plenty of attacking flair. Bellamy could have scored in the third minute and then Given had to save Andy Cole's low drive.
Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel made two excellent saves to stop Gary Speed efforts and then also had to be at his best to keep out Alan Shearer's rasping drive.
At the other end, Markus Babbel went close with a header before Stead missed twice in succession and Cole had a shot kicked off the line by Titus Bramble.
The second half failed to match the first in terms of chances but after Bellamy scored, he went close again with a curling shot just past the post.
Blackburn could not convert possession into meaningful chances until, with five minutes remaining, Gallagher sprang on to Babbel's pass and laid the ball on for Stead to score.
Rovers manager Graeme Souness was pleased with his side's spirit in coming from behind saying: "They got a goal, but we kept going and that was really, really pleasing. It would have been hard on my team if we had not got something."
Robson was diplomatic after watching his side lose two points late on. "We were lucky to be in the game at half time but were much improved in the second half. I think it was the right result overall," he said.