Danny Graham sends Blackburn through to FA Cup third round

Posted Thursday, December 14, 2017 by PA

Danny Graham's first-half strike booked Blackburn a third-round home date with Hull after they overcame League Two strugglers Crewe 1-0 at the second time of asking.

With the game played 24 hours after it was originally scheduled due to a frozen pitch at Gresty Road on Tuesday, Graham scored the only goal of the game in the 24th minute.

A Rovers side showing six changes from weekend League One duty were the first to post a threat when one of those players coming into Tony Mowbray's ranks, 20-year-old striker Joe Nuttall glanced a header over.

Rovers were soon ahead when Graham glided across the snow-flecked surface to angle Derrick Williams' pass into the bottom corner.

Veteran Graham was close to nabbing as econd soon after when his stinging drive flicked off the upright.

Unlike in the first game where they let a three-goal lead slip, Blackburn were always in control and Sam Hart was denied by a combination of goalkeeper Ben Garratt and defender Eddie Nolan after he burst past his marker.

Crewe had barely mustered a threat but were agonisingly close to levelling on the hour mark when Chris Dagnall's header thudded against the post after substitute Charlie Kirk sent in a tantalising cross.

But Nuttall should have sealed the tie, only to poke wide after Nolan's sliced clearance was diverted into his path by Garratt.