Substitute Andi Weimann glanced in a 96th-minute header as Valerien Ismael's Blackburn Rovers earned a draw in a dramatic finish against fellow Championship play-off hopefuls Norwich City.

In Ismael's first game in charge, Ante Crnac's sweet first-time finish had seemed certain to clinch a vital win for the Canaries and put them firmly in the mix for the tight race for the top six.

But despite having Emmanuel Dennis sent off with five minutes left - and falling behind - Rovers scored seconds before the end of the scheduled added time to ensure they remain four points ahead of Norwich.

A full-blooded and entertaining game at Ewood Park produced a predictably aggressive and spirited display by the hosts under their new manager but, at times, they were on the verge of over-stepping the mark.

Substitute Dennis was dismissed for a second yellow card, having not long been lucky to escape a straight red for a nasty looking lunge on Ben Chrisene.

And a game with numerous controversial decisions could also have led to Blackburn's Dominic Hyam sent off for his needless elbow on Angus Gunn

But there was undoubted quality alongside the feisty and controversial, with a fascinating contrast in styles providing good viewing on a crisp and sunny lunchtime.

Rovers seemed content to defend deep and play on the break, while Norwich kept faith with the intricate, precise attacking interplay and constant movement in the final third that has been their trademark this season.

The City approach saw them create the best opportunities. And although they had the only attempt on target in the first half, a deflected Josh Sargent strike that looped harmlessly to keeper Aynsley Pears, the stats did not tell the full story.

Anis Ben Slimane somehow shot wide from Kellen Fisher's divine cutback from the right, while Fisher, whose energy and quality was a key attacking feature for the Canaries, shovelled an effort wide after a lovely first touch set up a great shooting opportunity.

Norwich stepped up the intensity after the break and dominated possession and territory but could not find the breakthrough.

Rovers, who went close through the excellent Augustus Kargbo and Makhtar Gueye in the first half, also had a couple of decent sightings of goal.

Defender Hayden Carter swept a first-time effort just over Gunn's bar from Tyrhys Dolan's right-wing cross and Weimann glanced a header wide.

But the late drama changed the scoreline, if not the division of points.

Blackburn Rovers head coach Valerien Ismael said:

"It was a tough game for us with a strong opponent. We were well organised and tried to go through the gameplan we had. I think until the red card, it was really good and we were on top, we had the momentum.

"The red card changed everything, it's a new game. After that, I think it was tough for the players to concede the goal.

"But they showed again a great mentality. I think the season [has shown] a really good, honest, hard-working group to believe in themselves and to make sure we give everything. As I say, a no-regret attitude and they made it today.

"We deserved a point but it feels more like a win because the mentality [of] the players showed me they are ready to compete for the play-offs. We have to keep that going."

Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup said:

"It's the approach in the last two, three minutes of the game which I'm frustrated about. I let the players know it's not acceptable because, up until the goal, we played such a professional game away from home.

"It's a top-six team and we go here, we take the ball and we dominate and we try to open them, create the flow of the game, try to create the chances.

"We get ourselves in front at the end and then last two, three minutes, we dribble around and we lose the ball a couple of times instead of just ing the ball to the final whistle.

"There are so many decisions in the last two, three minutes that simply need to be better. There's many good things to take from this performance. It's a fantastic goal we score and there were many good things in the way we are developing as a team. But down to the last two, three minutes, it's not acceptable."