Saturday 15 August 2015 21:24, UK
Gary Bowyer praised the impact of Nathan Delfouneso after a double substitution helped secure a 1-1 draw for Blackburn against Huddersfield at the John Smith's Stadium.
Blackburn manager Bowyer introduced former Blackpool striker Delfouneso and Hope Akpan just before the hour and the changes turned the game.
Delfouneso pounced for the equaliser less than a minute after coming on, with another substitute - Fode Koita - providing an assist.
Delfouneso was released by Blackpool this month, but Bowyer said: "He has certainly settled in well.
"He's had a hand in a goal and that's two he's scored. The impact from the subs was terrific."
Koita replaced former Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes, who limped off early in the second half with an ankle injury.
Rhodes had scored five goals in his three previous visits to the John Smith's Stadium but was felled by Huddersfield midfielder Dean Whitehead, straight from the restart.
Whitehead was booked and Bowyer said: "It was a poor challenge, if I'm being honest.
"We are going to assess him in the morning. Hopefully, touch wood, there's no long-term damage.
"We have a great medical team and hopefully he will be okay for (the home match against Cardiff on) Tuesday."
Rovers turned down a £12million bid from Middlesbrough but Rhodes is still tipped for a move in the transfer window.
Bowyer dismissed questions about Rhodes' future and said: "I thought we were going to get through a press conference without anyone asking about him."
Nahki Wells put Huddersfield ahead in the 10th minute after Sean Scannell crossed into the box for Ishmael Miller to force a save from David Raya. The loose ball fell for Wells who rifled into the roof of the net.
Bowyer replaced Rhodes with Koita and, 10 minutes later, made the decisive double substitution when Delfouneso and Akpan came on for Modou Barrow and Danny Guthrie.
Delfouneso struck the leveller in the 60th minute with a clinical finish that matched Wells' strike.
Ben Marshall's cross was headed down by Koita for Delfouneso to fire home.
Huddersfield boss Chris Powell was pleased with the response of his players after successive defeats.
"I got the response I wanted from the start," Powell said. "We were on the front foot and wanted the crowd with us but again we came up against a keeper who has made some good saves.
"We had a good first period but Blackburn came into it in the second half and there was a lack of concentration for the goal.
"Both teams had lost their first two games and both teams will see this as a first point gained.
"There are many teams who haven't got a point yet so this was important for our mindset.
"We are playing well in spells and we just have to do the best we can to get the three points from each game."
Powell also revealed that first-choice goalkeeper Alex Smithies had been left out after "interest" from an unnamed club. There are reports of a £2million bid from QPR.
Powell said: "I was told of interest by the board and spoke with Alex. I was worried whether it would harm him or the team if he played and was thinking about a move.
"We are very proud of him. He has come through the youth system and there aren't many young England goalkeepers around. We will see what happens in the next few days."
