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7 months ago
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John Eustace defended Aynsley Pears after Blackburn’s calamity keeper handed Sheffield Wednesday a relegation lifeline.
The Owls are out of the Championship bottom three for the first time since August largely thanks to Pears, who comically sliced a Dom Hyam backpass into his own net to put Danny Rohl’s men 3-1 up just after the hour.
On an afternoon to forget, the 25-year-old also played an unwanted part in handing Josh Windass the sixth-minute opener. Pears’ unconvincing header after rushing from goal was returned with interest by Windass from 35 yards for a stunning opening goal.
Sammie Szmodics swiftly levelled with his 31st goal of the campaign, a trademark calm finish after being put through by Callum Brittain. But Rovers, who sit in 19th place — three points above the drop zone — quickly ran out of attacking ideas and are still in danger of relegation with games against Coventry and leaders Leicester to round off the campaign.
It is not the first time Pears has made an embarrassing howler this season, and head coach Eustace said: ‘It’s a mistake from Aynsley but we’ve got a close-knit group and everyone knows that when someone makes an error it’s part of the game.
Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears was left red-faced after an embarrassing own goal in their Championship relegation six-pointer against Sheffield Wednesday
Pears swiped at a straightforward back pass by Dominic Hyam and it spun beyond him and in
‘With the third goal you can’t do much about that. It’s a mistake and it’s tough to take but everything’s still in our own hands.’
Marvin Johnson restored Wednesday’s lead, sweeping home Anthony Musaba’s 58th-minute cross at the far post before the Pears circus rolled into town again to hand Rohl’s side a crucial two-goal cushion they were never likely to relinquish, roared on by more than 7,000 travelling fans.
The Owls are a point clear of danger ahead of hosting West Brom on Saturday.
There appeared to be little danger as Dominic Hyam played the ball back to keeper Pears
But the Rovers goalkeeper swiped at the ball under no pressure, only to see it bobble past him
The ball skimmed off Pears' leg and spun backwards into his own net in the red-faced moment
Pears didn't know where to look after the embarrassing and costly gaffe on Sunday
How the bottom of the Championship table looks after Wednesday's win at Blackburn
They will finish their Championship campaign at Sunderland and after ending their 246-day stay in the bottom three, Rohl said: ‘We’ve worked hard to get out of the relegation zone but the job is not done.
'It’s important we take the final steps in the next two games. If we play like we did today, we have a big chance.’
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