Blackburn 1 Man United 1: Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen rifled home his third goal in two matches against Manchester United this season to keep his side's Carling Cup final hopes alive.

Pedersen, who scored both goals in the 2-1 league win at Old Trafford in September, grabbed a stunning equaliser to cancel out Louis Saha's fourth of the competition in an explosive encounter at Ewood Park.

Norwegian Pedersen latched on to Shefki Kuqi's header to fire a rising shot past Edwin van der Sar in the 35th minute - five minutes after Saha's clinical finish.

Rovers are now unbeaten in their last five matches against United, with the return leg in a fortnight's time sure to hold no fears for Mark Hughes' side.

Full report to follow