Manchester United V Blackburn

Blackburn's 10 men just failed to pull off their own remake of the Great Escape against Manchester United at Old Trafford. United appeared to be cantering to a comfortable victory after Paul Scholes put them 3-0 up after 58 minutes, especially as Rovers skipper Tim Sherwood had already been sent off for elbowing David Beckham.

But Roy Hodgson's relegation-haunted side battled their way back into the game and United were relieved to hear referee Mike Reed blow for full time. United manager Alex Ferguson will not have been impressed after watching his side almost snatch a draw from the jaws of victory.

In comparison to the game's frantic finale the opening exchanges were tame. Blackburn striker Kevin Davies, who last scored in January against United, sent Peter Schmeichel scurrying backwards with a speculative lob, but it dropped onto the roof of his net.

United were struggling to find their flowing movement of recent weeks, but Andy Cole, who was overlooked again by England coach Glenn Hoddle yesterday, should have given them the lead in the 20th minute. Stephane Henchoz's misplaced header put John Filan in trouble and when Cole dispossessed the Rovers goalkeeper he proceeded to blast the ball against the woodwork from close range with only Henchoz to beat on the line.

Cole tried again with a deflected effort, which Filan easily saved before Scholes showed him how it's done when he scored on the half hour. Dwight Yorke won the ball from Christian Dailly midway inside the Rovers half and released Scholes on the left and he tucked the ball home past Filan, who managed to hurt himself attempting a save.

Davies went close again before Cole spurned another opportunity when he weakly directed a free header at Filan from Jesper Blomqvist's cross. But once again Yorke made up for his strike partner when he collected Nicky Butt's pass to rifle home his 10th goal of the season in the 43rd minute from close range.

United were purring now and Henchoz survived a penalty appeal for handball before Beckham fired a 30-yard effort just over the bar. The chances of a Rovers comeback appeared even more remote in the 48th minute when Sherwood was dismissed for elbowing Beckham when the United midfielder had attempted to take the ball from his hands after play had stopped for a free-kick.

Blackburn responded by bringing on Dario Marcolin for Damien Duff and their plight worsened when Callum Davidson came off injured to be replaced by Gary Croft. Scholes netted United's third - his sixth of the season - in the 58th minute when he made room for himself on the right before firing home.

Marcolin added to Rovers' anguish when he blazed over from eight yards out. Scholes came off to be replaced by Jordi Cruyff in the 62nd minute with the game seemingly won. But in the final quarter of the game Rovers launched a stirring fightback. First, Marcolin made amends for his earlier miss when he fired home his first goal for Rovers in the 66th minute.

Then seven minutes later Nathan Blake headed home their second with his first goal for Rovers since his £4.25million move from Bolton. Cruyff pulled up with a hamstring injury and 10 minutes from time he was replaced by Roy Keane who was sent on to steady United's nerves.

Still Rovers pushed forward, but United held out to deny what would have been a sensational comeback.