Wait is almost over for Rovers

It took them half-an-hour to stamp their authority on Terry Yorath's game home side - who had already seen off Sunderland and Aston Villa in reaching the last four against the odds - and they might even have been trailing had Brad Friedel not been well positioned to push over Paul McLaren's point-blank header.

But their Premiership class had been evident in glimpses, with £7.5million signing Cole champing at the bit to score his first goal since quitting Old Trafford, although the England striker had to wait his turn after livewire Hignett.

The former Barnsley midfielder was still bubbling after his FA Cup strike earned Blackburn a replay at his old Oakwell stamping ground four days earlier, though his 30thminute opener owed much to a raking cross from Damien Duff which reached him at the far post.

The Republic of Ireland winger was in fine form and, after Alan Mahon had scorned another decent chance, Duff was again sent on his way again by substitute Mark Hughes to pull back for the incoming Cole to convert.

'We were good enough to get a draw but you can't give Premiership strikers chances like that,' said home manager Terry Yorath.

The Worthington Cup had not played a prominent role in Cole's United career - the fact that he started only two ties in seven years says much about Old Trafford's view of the tournament - but he will remember this one with affection if not relief.

The Rovers defence did drop one clanger, allowing Efan Ekoku to steal in at the near post, but Wednesday's revival was not enough to knock Blackburn off course. Neither was David Dunn's swinging arm on Matt Hamshaw - strongly reminiscent of Alan Smith's on Andy Legg at Cardiff on Sunday - deemed sufficient to merit more than a yellow card from referee Andy D'Urso, who controversially showed Smith red.

Dunn yesterday pledged his future to Blackburn despite a reported £8m bid from Chelsea.