Lincoln City picked up their first Championship home point after being held to a goalless draw by 10-man Blackburn Rovers.

Both sides had chances to break the deadlock before Rovers' teenage defender Tom Atcheson was sent off for a second booking, for his clumsy 69th-minute challenge on Rob Street.

It took a good save from George Wickens to ensure Lincoln took a share of the spoils from the game, with the Imps goalkeeper denying Ryoya Morishita.

In a game that lacked attacking quality, Deji Elerewe sent a free header wide for Lincoln before that Morishita chance, while Conor McGrandles nearly won it for the hosts with a dipping effort late on.

Lincoln carved out a number of first-half chances but, with Street twice heading over and Freddie Draper guiding a shot wide, they failed to trouble goalkeeper Aynsley Pears before the break.

Todd Cantwell went closest to opening the scoring in the opening 45 minutes, with his free-kick pushed around the post by Wickens.

Blackburn created a flurry of early second-half chances, but Andri Gudjohnsen had his finish waved away for offside while Ryan Alebiosu had an effort deflected wide.

Pears made a fine reaction save when finally tested by Dom Jefferies in the 54th minute and, despite being a man up for more than 20 minute after Atcheson's dismissal, that was the only time the Blackburn goalkeeper was called into action.

Elerewe squandered the best of the chances they did create, wastefully crashing a free header wide from a corner, while record-breaking Imps recruit Mikkel Ladefoged failed to make a impression with the 13 minutes he was given off the bench.

Lincoln City head coach Chris Cohen told BBC Radio Lincolnshire:

"We had 18 shots, but only one on target and I don't feel we had loads of glaring chances. Ultimately if we had that game 10 more times, I think we win it.

"It became a bit snatchy, especially at the end, because they are down to 10 men and you are hoping you are going to take the three points. It's not through a lack of effort, it's just in that moment – if someone takes one then it could possibly be a much easier evening.

"You can never be too frustrated with picking up points in the Championship. It's an ex-Premier League team coming to Sincil Bank and I thought, even in the first half, although they had a lot of the ball we were the more threatening team throughout."

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"Ultimately we are disappointed not to - and this is with total respect for Lincoln - come and get three points.

"They are a really well organised team and obviously have major threats. But still I would expect to come and win, so we are disappointed to take the point.

"With the way the game went with 10 men, the maturity of the team was good in that last 25 minutes – it felt like some men out there making good decisions, being in the right position, knowing when to pick a pass and when to clear the ball and make first contact. So there are lots of positives for us, it's just a bit frustrating."