THE last time Peter Reid headed across the Pennines with anything approaching the level of pressure he is under at present, the Wearsiders' boss was facing a similar headache.

A lack of firepower had seen Sunderland slip towards the bottom three, and a victory at Ewood Park would provide the Black Cats with a much-needed boost.

Peter Reid's team were then still playing at Roker Park and that season anything other than relegation would have been seen as a very successful seaon.

It was back in March 1997 and as FRANK JOHNSON wrote in the Northern Echo on March 1 it wasn't to be a happy day for the Sunderland faithful who made the 300-mile round trip

Sunderland's dire lack of firepower was embarrassingly underlined again at Ewood Park.

While the Rokermen can continue to fight heroically, their fans know that unless their favourites start scoring goals their chances of Premiership survival are pretty slim.

Blackburn Rovers, without leading scorer Chris Sutton, were no great shakes in front of goal but they still managed to conjure up one moment of magic to grab the points.

Both sets of supporters seemed resigned to accepting that a disappointing spectacle would fizzle out into a goalless draw.

Sunderland's French goalkeeper Lionel Perez had punched away a left wing corner from Norwegian international Lars Bohinen.

Gallacher was on the clearance in a flash and he let fly with an inspirations right foot shot - easily the best strike of the game and probably worth the three points on its own. Sunderland had no one able to come up with such a purposeful finish, sadly a continuing and frustrating failing in the Roker ranks.

Sunderland manager Peter Reid had, surprisingly, given strikers John Mullin and David Kelly a vote of confidence after the 1-0 home defeat by Leeds United.

But they never posed a threat in front of goal against the solid and reliable central defending of Scottish international Colin Hendry.

Neither managed a shot at goal, and while the service from midfield left a lot to be desired, the pairing does not seem to be able to produce sufficient menace in the penalty area.

Sunderland's only real chance fell to winger Michael Gray in the seventh minute when Mullin was alert enough to intercept a careless back pass from fullback Jeff Kenna.

Gray was able to steady himself but his fierce left foot shot from a narrow angle, flew high over the bar.

Goalmouth opportunities however, were rare as both sides cancelled themselves out between the penalty areas. Roker skipper Kevin Ball's tenacity rarely allowed Rovers much time in possession.

But Rovers still seemed to have the edge in attack and Perez had to make an important save at the feet of substitute Paul Warhurst in the 58th minute after a perfectly-measured centre from Gallacher on the right.

Gallacher had fired Sunderland a warning in the 76th minute when he brought a great save from Perez after the whistle had gone for a penalty area infringement.

He was certainly the last player Sunderland wanted to see charging in when Perez punched away with seven minutes remaining.

Sunderland must halt their downward spiral though it is difficult to see where the goals are going to come from.It is frustrating situation because Reid's men are very well drilled and disciplined, conceding very few goals.

But the way things are going one goal from the opposition is sufficient to carry off the points

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