Newcastle fan Graham Fenton broke Geordie hearts, and dealt a hammer blow to their title chances, as he came off the bench to score twice in a dramatic Rovers win at Ewood Park, on this day in 1996.

Rovers hero Fenton was left hoping he wouldn't be regarded as too much of a villain by his fellow Geordies, as the 21-year-old from Whitley Bay came off the bench to stun the Magpies late on.

Fenton, who played for the same boys club as Alan Shearer, Cramlington Juniors, and hero-worshipped Gazza as a young fan until he departed for Spurs, had his mother and sister and other family members watching from the Ewood stands.

It was a former Rovers old boy, David Batty, who looked to have won it for the visitors with a rare goal 14 minutes from time, with Fenton introduced shortly before that goal to turn the game on its head with an 86th and 89th minute double.

“I am delighted that Blackburn have the three points to keep up our chase for the European places,” said the matchwinner, but conceded: “I am a little bit disappointed for the Newcastle fans, because I am one of them.

"Someone said they had seen my cousin crying outside after the game. But he said he wasn't.

"Before the game my cousin said to me that if I scored I should do a Denis Law and just walk away," he explained.

“It's unfortunate for Newcastle but it's my job and I wanted to get on and get my career going.

"I am sure my dad, who was watching at home on TV, will have enjoyed it. He's a Newcastle fan too but also a bit of both because he follows whoever I am playing for."

Fenton admitted with a wry smile that he would have to keep a low profile for a while when he returned home to the North East.

"The fans are very passionate but I hope they will take it in their stride," he said, as defending champions Rovers kept up their pursuit of European football.

"It's looking like Manchester United will win it now but you will be able to tell after a couple more games.

"I just hope Newcastle can come back."

It was a night when Rovers were clearly determined to show Newcastle that they must prove themselves worthy of wearing the crown that has been sitting somewhat uncomfortably at Ewood throughout the winter.

Hailing matchwinner Fenton, Ray Harford said: "Graham has been very patient. When he came here, he had a couple of hamstring problems but he has staked a claim now and that's what you want from your subs.

"You want them to go on and prove a point.

"I have liked him for 18 months and I think he's got a chance to be a real player and it was a great finish for the second goal."

After midfielder Batty unleashed a terrific low shot from 22 yards into the far corner, the champagne was being uncorked on Tyneside.

Rovers took a little time to recover, but then a similar passing move ended with Wilcox flicking the ball through to Shearer, who had found space.

He turned and saw his shot deflected off Darren Peacock towards the far post where Fenton had found space, his instinctive volley was too much for Hislop.

All square and yet there was still more drama to come.

With the watch showing just a few seconds of normal time, Flowers made an extraordinary save from Gillespie and Wilcox produced just what was needed - a 60-yard slam over the halfway line where Shearer and Fenton were lurking.

Two Newcastle defenders got themselves in a mess and, though the chance seemed to have been lost when Fenton conceded possession, they allowed the ball to run to Shearer.

Unselfishly, he played in Fenton and a classy dink over the diving Hislop possibly consigned the title race to history.

The champions had a big say in the destination of their replacement at the top of the English footballing tree.