Emerton keeps Albion in drop zone
 |  Australian winger Emerton denied Albion valuable survival points |
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BIRMINGHAM, England -- Premiership relegation candidates West Bromwich failed to get out of the bottom three on Tuesday after Blackburn came from behind to draw 1-1.
Hosts Albion looked set to move to fourth from bottom when midfielder Kieran Richardson -- on loan from Manchester United -- scored with a freekick in the 32nd minute.
However Australian winger Brett Emerton, one of few creative players favored by manager Mark Hughes, levelled in the 64th minute.
The point pushed West Brom up to third from bottom but trailing Crystal Palace on goal difference.
Richardson curled in a freekick which left former United States international goalkeeper Brad Friedel with no chance after New Zealand defender Ryan Nielsen had fouled Geoff Horsfield in the 32nd minute.
Albion should have doubled their lead in the 50th minute but Neil Clement directed his header wide of Friedel's right post from Richard Chaplow's corner.
Rovers succeeded in having three players booked in three minutes with Australian defender Lucas Neill, captain Andy Todd and Morten Gamst Pedersen going into the book to join team-mate Dominic Matteo on yellow cards.
However Pedersen showed his more creative side five minutes after his booking by setting up Emerton who drilled in a fine right-footed shot from the left side of the area which beat Hoult to bring them level with 26 minutes to go.
Clement had another chance to give West Brom the three points but his shot from close in five minutes from time was far too wild and went over the bar.
