Huddersfield Town 2-2 Blackburn: Ryan Hedges scores dramatic late equaliser to earn visitors a point

Ryan Hedges scored a dramatic last-minute equaliser as Blackburn fought back from 2-0 down to rescue a point and deny resurgent Huddersfield a fourth successive Championship win.

Terriers defender Matty Pearson, affectionately nicknamed the ‘Keighley Canavarro’, opened the scoring with his fourth goal in three games and Jack Rudoni added a second before the break.

Blackburn replied immediately after the interval through Joe Rankin-Costello and an outstanding rearguard effort put Huddersfield on course for victory.

Yet Rovers were not to be denied and substitute Hedges was on hand to fire home from close range and level matters, capping a superb fightback from Jon Dahl Tomasson’s play-off hopefuls.

When Warnock came out of retirement to return to the John Smith’s Stadium in February, Huddersfield were on their knees and heading towards League One at pace.

Blackburn came from two goals down to earn themselves a point at the John Smith’s Stadium

Huddersfield made a fantastic start to the game and got the lead through Matty Pearson 

Jack Rudoni doubled Huddersfield’s lead just six minutes later to the delight of their fans

The 74-year-old has constantly stated that keeping Town in the Championship would be “biggest miracle ever” and surpass his achievement of a record eight managerial promotions.

Blackburn side popped the ball around with a swagger during the opening exchanges which suggested a long 90 minutes ahead for Warnock’s team.

But his men are putting their head in where it hurts for the cause and Pearson was rewarded once again in the 16th minute.

Rudoni’s left-wing corner was greeted with a firm header by Tom Lees and, as the ball bounced up into the six-yard box, Pearson rose highest to nod home past Aynsley Pears.

Six minutes later, Town struck again when Joseph Hungbo’s dangerus low cross was neatly tapped home by Rudoni at the near post.

Playoff hopefuls Blackburn looked dejected after Huddersfield’s second goal after 22 minutes

Blackburn gave themselves some hope with a goal just after the break by Joe Rankin-Costello

Blackburn put relentless pressure on Huddersfield as they searched for an equaliser

It was his second goal in as many games and Blackburn, for all their neat approach play, could find no way through the Terriers’ rearguard.

But that changed two minutes into the second half when Rankin-Costello played a delightful one-two with Thyrhys Dolan and fired home left-footed.

Rovers began to dominate but it needed a vital block Dominic Hyam to deflect Josh Koroma’s fierce shot out for a corner.

At the other end, Tomáš Vaclík made a superb low save down to his right to keep out Blackburn substitute Harry Leonard’s low strike.

Huddersfield captain Jonathan Hogg then headed over from Rudoni’s free-kick when unmarked before Tyler Morton’s through-ball somehow evaded everyone and rebounded off Vaclík’s post as the hosts survived.

Vaclík then superbly tipped over Rankin-Costello’s chipped effort before Ben Brereton Diaz fired inches wide.

But after Brereton Diaz’s close-range header was kept out by Vaclík, Hedges was on hand to tuck the ball away to level matters.