Kean: Penalty call 'tough to take'
Blackburn manager Steve Kean admitted Saturday's 3-3 draw at Norwich felt like a defeat after Grant Holt's stoppage-time penalty denied the Barclays Premier League strugglers a much-needed win at Carrow Road.
Rovers took the lead through Junior Hoilett before Wales striker Steve Morison levelled. Two quick goals from Ayegbeni Yakubu and captain Christopher Samba looked to have put the visitors on course for a first away victory but the Canaries grabbed a lifeline through Bradley Johnson's deflected effort.
And in stoppage time, substitute Holt stepped up to smash the ball past Paul Robinson after Steven Nzonzi had conceded a contentious handball in the penalty area. Kean said: "It feels like a defeat because a decision like that in five minutes of stoppage time is very hard to take."
He added: "I have looked at the penalty decision from a few angles and Steven was fouled at the back post and is appealing for a free-kick and the ball drops behind his shoulder and hits the top of his arm.
"I don't think there was any intent and we feel as it if was a foul.
"For us to do so well and to have the game in the palm of our hands, it is tough to take."
Canaries boss Paul Lambert felt his team had taken what their efforts deserved. He said: "I have been here for two-and-a-half years now, and from day one it has been like that - we never give up.
"We have got a good side and a great spirit and desire to try to win games. From my view, we were the better team in the first half and were caught with a classic sucker punch.
"We never just turn up and think we are going to win, because every game is hard for us. There is never a 'gimme', even in League One. You need to work hard for it.
"Blackburn are an established Premier League side and hurt us when we did not do the right things but all credit to the lads, because they came back really strong with a great spirit."
