Huddersfield 1-1 Blackburn: Nahki Wells strikes late to snatch point

Nahki Wells curled home a brilliant free-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time to rescue a point for Huddersfield against struggling Blackburn.

Rovers, who had absorbed prolonged spells of pressure from the home side, looked set to claim a New Year's Eve victory against the run of play when Danny Graham struck nine minutes from time.

But Huddersfield, on the back of four successive victories, refused to give up and levelled from a fine set-piece with just moments left on the clock.

Huddersfield dominated the first half and, with Blackburn notorious slow starters, almost took the lead inside the first minute.

Rovers goalkeeper Jason Steele pulled off a great double save, blocking Rajiv van La Parra's effort before turning away a well-executed overhead kick from Kasey Palmer.

Centre-back Michael Hefele's header was well wide from Aaron Mooy's driven cross and van La Parra whipped a ball in for Wells but his flicked header lacked power and was easy for Steele.

A fast attacking move by the home side, which involved good work by Elias Kachunga, deserved a better finish than a snatched shot over the top from Wells.

The striker then turned provider with a lovely through ball for Kachunga but his shot was straight at Steele.

Steele was alert again just past the half-hour when Hefele slipped a pass inside the full-back and Kachunga delivered from the right for Wells, the 'keeper spreading himself to make the block.

Rovers had just one chance in the first half when Sam Gallagher broke away and ran at the Town defence, squaring for Graham only for the ball to just evade the striker.

Huddersfield brought on Harry Bunn and Jack Payne for van La Parra and Palmer in a bid to break down Blackburn's stubborn resistance.

But there were fewer chances and too often the final pass was lacking for the home side.

Chris Lowe's free-kick was straight at Steele and while Wells caused problems, beating two defenders, the move ended with Lowe's cross dropping just short of Bunn.

Tommy Smith dragged a shot wide and Wells again could not put Bunn away when clear in front of goal.

Against the run of play Rovers snatched a goal when Liam Feeney was sent clear on the right and crossed deep for Graham to head home at the far post in the 81st minute.

Huddersfield refused to give up, however, and equalised after Elliott Bennett fouled Payne on the edge of the box.

From a central position Wells bent the ball around the wall leaving Steele no chance.

Huddersfield boss David Wagner:

"We all know that Nahki is a quality striker and I am delighted for him. Nahki is a natural goalscorer and if he stays in the game and works hard then we stay in the game. That's the aim (to keep hold of him). He has 18 months left and I am very happy with him.

"Few teams would have come back after playing as well as we did and then conceding a late goal. For that reason I am happy."

Blackburn boss Owen Coyle:

"It was a fantastic piece of skill for the goal but the referee seemed quite trigger happy, and I am not happy about the awarding of the free-kick. 

"You have to say it was a fantastic point for us against a team that's going well who I expect to be in the top six at the end of the season. But we had given ourselves a great position to win the game and from that point of view it's hard to take."