EMILE Heskey was determined to reign on Tony Parkes' parade. But not even the heaviest defeat of the season could totally dampen the spirits as Ewood paid tribute to its own top man, writes PETER WHITE.

If there had been anything crucial at stake from the final game of a campaign which, in reality, ended for both clubs in midweek, there would have been a long inquest in both camps about the number of chances afforded the opposition.

And some of the flaws on view merely emphasised how imperative it is that substantial surgery is carried out this summer on the Ewood squad.

When you miss simple, straightforward scoring opportunities at one end and concede bad goals at the other, it's a recipe for disaster -- which is almost how the season turned out.

But, having seen the club use their 'Get out of Jail Free' card on Thursday night, Rovers supporters were determined to have a monopoly on the celebrations come what may.

The serious emotions were experienced elsewhere in the Premiership.

And nothing was going to stop the fans paying tribute to the man who has spent much of his 27 Ewood years in the shadows but, when thrust into the limelight, has stood up to be counted. Parkes himself was visibly disappointed that Rovers lost another battle, but he had already won the war and that was consolation enough.

"I think you have to be a bit crazy to be in management full time," he said afterwards. "Short bursts will do for me. I have a permanent job here -- as caretaker manager," he laughed.

Seriously though, Parkes was plainly touched by the reception he was given by supporters who maintained a marvellous atmosphere even though the game went dramatically wrong in a four-minute spell early in the second half.

In that short space of time, Leicester scored two stunning goals and Rovers missed two sitters.

It should have been 3-3 but the scoreline stood, instead, at 1-3.

And, even though Rovers pulled one back, they still managed to prove generous enough to give away another.

Leicester deserved to win because of the way they made the most of Rovers' suicidal defending.

Rovers deserved to lose because they didn't do likewise at the other end.

For the neutral it must have been a thoroughly enjoyable affair, bags of attacking football, allied to some kamikaze moments.

It looked as if the edge had been taken off Rovers by the events of Thursday night when they celebrated safety.

They were in the comfort zone and it showed.

The first half was quite lively and Heskey, a young player of great potential, had already signalled his threat in the air before he put the visitors in front with a powerful header; stealing in front of Colin Hendry to meet Steve Claridge's lob.

Hendry looked crestfallen but there was no need. Constantly playing under handicap, he has been a true hero for the club this season.

Rovers, of course, had a youngster of their own showing his undoubted promise. Damien Duff, only 18, made his Premiership bow and didn't disappoint with skill and a stream of crosses from the left.

When the equaliser came it was a strange affair. The keeper spilled Kevin Gallacher's shot, Simon Grayson hit an intended clearance but Garry Flitcroft got a foot in the way and the ball flew into an empty net.

Rovers should have been ahead by half time, Tim Sherwood putting Graham Fenton clear only for the striker to shoot wide -- a glorious chance.

Then came the spell which decided the game.

On 55 minutes Flitcroft was through on the keeper, should have scored but saw his shot saved and Leicester went straight down to catch Rovers with another sucker punch after again being handed possession.

They seemed to be shepherding Steve Claridge to safety as he drifted across two defenders but was given ample space to drag a shot back across goal and into the bottom corner.

A minute later, Rovers were 3-1 down with another poor goal defensively but it was a sensational finish from Heskey.

The Leicester striker left a struggling Ian Pearce in his wake and, from an 'impossible' angle, powered a superb drive high into the net.

Just one more minute elapsed before Fenton wasted another great chance, heading against a post from Sherwood's cross.

Still, it was 2-3 on 66 minutes when sub Stuart Ripley centred accurately and, this time, Leicester's defenders were at fault as an unmarked Fenton got it right with a fine header into the far corner.

Rovers pressed for an equaliser but it was Leicester who had the last word, and a sloppy one at that.

Tim Flowers would easily have saved Stuart Wilson's mis-hit shot, but it deflected hugely off Pearce to leave the keeper helpless.

It was an entertaining game, played in fine spirit and an excellent atmosphere, but with a bad result.

Yet no-one in the stands seemed too bothered.

The message which came from off the field was 'Thanks Tony', the message we got from on the field was unmistakeable.

It has to be put right for next season.

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