Wednesday 12 November 2014 16:48, UK
Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer has set striker Rudy Gestede the target of reaching 20 goals this season after he took his tally to 10 with the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer has set striker Rudy Gestede the target of reaching 20 goals this season after he took his tally to 10 with the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Midfielder Gary Gardner raised hopes of a second successive win for Brighton by driving them ahead shortly before the interval with his second goal in two games.
But Benin international Gestede rose superbly to head in a cross from Markus Olsson six minutes after the break.
The ball went in off the underside of the crossbar and the post to make it 23 in the last 37 games for the 26-year-old.
Bowyer said: "We felt we needed a big man, a target man and he has done ever so well.
"To reach 10 is a fantastic return for him and he deserves to be in double-figures for all the hard work he's put in.
"But he can't rest on his laurels. Hopefully he'll now get to 20 goals."
Bowyer admitted he was under no illusions that it would be a tough game but felt his men deserved more than a point.
He explained: "We're disappointed not to get three points and are still looking at how Grant Hanley has not scored in the second half.
"We knew it would be a tough game as Sami (Hyypia) has got them playing a good brand of football. But in the second half we really put the pedal down and were impressive."
Brighton boss Hyypia believed his side "deserved a little bit more" and is expecting his men push on and make strides following the international break
"We deserved more, but sometimes in football you don't get what you deserve," he said.
"We're looking a little bit more solid and have defended a little better, but our attacking play is not the way it was. It's about finding a balance."
The Seagulls ended their winless 12-game run with a single-goal win over Wigan in midweek and Hyypia is certain things will improve when problems at both ends of the field are solved.
He added: "We have a little break now which is good because mentally you can have a little rest.
"We can do something else for a few days and come back with a smile.
"We can't turn the clock back; we need to accept and take responsibility, be positive and look forward.
"We need to do everything we can on the training field and that is the way to go higher in the table."
