Minute by minute report from Rovers 1-0 win over Southampton.

16:53: Full time Rovers 1 Southampton 0

Some predicted a Southampton whitewash, but Souness must be happy with the win.

16:51: Rovers make their final change to run down the clock by bringing on Ostenstad for Gillespie

16:50: With only injury time to play, 3 mins, Cole has yet another shot at Niemi - he is again upto it.

16:48: Cole has it in front of goal, he is forced to run around the defenders - he does and still gets a good clean shoot away but Niemi was waiting to collect.

16:47: 5 mins to go or can Rovers hold on.

Neill nearly seals it with a brilliant run down the right beating three Southampton players with shear pace - it's a pity his shot was poor.

16:44: Gillespie runs down the right, he plays around the defender and is then tumbled to the ground.

It was close to a penalty but instead Thompson takes the free kick from 19 yards out - it's blocked and cleared.

16:42: Marsden for Southampton is booked, Mike Riley then falls over Short as he runs back into midfield.

Southampton make their second change bringing on Ormerod for Svensson

16:38: Yet another offside decision goes against Rovers this time Neill is denied a goal scoring chance.

16:37: 15 mins to go Rovers are looking a bit jaded but fortunately so are Southampton.

16:36: Cole runs onto a wide ball from Flitcroft he beats Lundekvam but it's a bit too strong and runs to Niemi.

16:34: Taylor hasn't taken up his normal role in defence and is instead helping out Cole up front .

16:32: Southampton make thier first change as Prutton replaces Fernandes.

16:31: Beattie breaks through the Rovers defence, no offside flag, which could have put off as he again misses the target only yards out.

16:30: 20 mins to go and it remains Rovers 1 Southampton 0

16:30: Referee, Mike Riley, proves he is actually on the pitch - not by giving anything to Rovers but by getting in the way of Flitcroft.

16:28: Southampton continue to push forward and Oakley has a shot from 25 yards - it deeps but Friedel saves.

Corner to Southampton which is deflected out for another which is cleared allowing Rovers to counter attack.

16:27: Round up from the last five minutes...

Rovers make their first change bringing on Johansson for Tugay

Gresko has a poor goal kick clearence which results in Beattie getting the ball - he however scuffed the shot and it ended up in row Z.

Rovers make a second change bringing on Taylor for Yorke.

16:13: Rovers continue to pressure the Southampton defence - Cole crosses but it's deflected into the feet of Thompson. His curling shot doesn't have enough on it and is easily saved.

16:12: Cole is brought down in the box the ref waves play on - and to be honest he was probably right this time.

16:10: Southampton have a shot which is saved by Friedel, Beattie pressure the clearence knowing that Friedel is injured with a bruised foot.

16:09: Flitcroft is down with what seems like a dead leg - he's recieving treament off the field

16:08: No changes by either side at half time.

Southampton push forward but it's Gresko at the centre of attention as he hits the deck.

16:04: Southampton get the second half underway

15:49: Make that Tugay with the shot.

Half time - Rovers 1 Southampton 0

Souness must the happier manager at the break.

15:48: Thompson picks the ball deep in the Rovers he runs down the left unchallenged he crosses - it's a bit strong and misses Cole and Yorke, but it falls to Grabbi unmarked, he ties up the shot but it's saved by Niemi

15:46: 2 mins of extra time to be played

15:44: Gresko shields the ball as Southampton attack again - but he's pushed over in front of the linesman - he and ref clearly didn't see anything as the game continues.

15:42: 5 mins to go to half time

Rovers 1 Southanpton 0

15:42: Southampton get a freekick - its swung in and falls to Beattie he passes Fernandes - he cross and the ball is headed onto the bar - Rovers escape.

15:38: Goal kick to Rovers but clearly isn't 100% has his kick barely reaches half way.

15:37: Neill continues to have a good game as he defends well to halt another Southampton attack.

15:36: Thompson crosses to Gillespie who starts another run down the right - however he's not allowed to get his cross in Southampton come away with the ball.

15:34: The game has settled down after the goal with both teams seeming to want the half time whistle to blow - but theres 10 mins to go and anything could happen.

15:30: 15 mins to go and Rovers have the momentum, but Southampton attack again - this time the Rovers defence holds and sees the danger clear.

15:28: Rovers 1 Southampton 0

The pressure payed as Gillespie once again crossed Cole tried to get his head it but the ball instead fell to Thompson who shot low and wide to beat Niemi.

15:27: Goal to Rovers - Thompson the scorer!

15:26: Some good play in midfield by Rovers sees them start another attack down the right - Gillespie eventually crosses to Filtcroft - he feals he's held but the ref again gives nothing.

15:25: Rovers adventures in the Southampton half have left short at the back - Southampton counter and nearly take advantage but Berg gets back to clear the lines.

15:23: Rovers pile the pressure on have several good chances to score all are somehow cleared in true goalmouth scramble style.

The last effort came from Berg - a striker may have found the net.

15:21: Lundekvam challenges Yorke for a long and wins - but his early collison was clearly serious as his white bandage know matches his shirt.

15:19: Neill plays a neat up and over in the Southampton box and is brought down - the ref waves play much to the dismay of the Ewood faithful.

15:17: Short welcomes Beattie back to Ewood with a challenge resulting in a Southampton freekick 30 yards out - it swung in but cleared.

15:15: 15 mins gones Rovers 0 Southampton 0

The early pressure from Southampton has died off slightly allowing Rovers to take up the charge.

15:14: Gresko supplies a deep cross to Gillespie who gets a foot to it to play it back in - but the chance is cleared.

15:12: Yorke comes close with a header but it's just inches over. There was a clase of heads on the way down and Yorke and Lundekvam hit the deck.

Yorke is fine but Lunderkvam gets his head bandaged.

15:10: Rovers fail to clear their lines and Southampton have another chance to go in front - Friedel saves the day again.

15:09: 5 mins gone and Southampton pile the pressure on the Rovers defence and easily break through - they would be a goal up if not for Friedel diving to his left and palming the ball away.

15:06: Cole breaks free for Rovers seems to crowded out but gets his shot away - the keeper saves.

15:05: Beattie gets his first touch and the Rovers fans don't react - maybe they've forgotten what he looks like.

Southampton with the first shot at goal - but its over the bar.

15:02: Free kick to Rovers just inside the Southampton half - it's over the top to Cole, he controls it the byline crosses low - but Niemi collects.

15:01: Todays referee, Mike Riley, gets the game underway with Rovers kicking off toward the Blackburn End.

14:55: Rovers v Southampton, Saturday 8th February, 2003 - KO 3.00pm

Todays teams

Rovers - Friedel, Neill, Tugay, Short, Flitcroft, Cole, Gillespie, Yorke, Thomspon, Berg, Gresko. Subs: Grabbi, Johansson, Taylor, Ostenstad, Kelly.

Southampton - Niemi, Marsden, Lundekvam, Oakley, Beattie, M.Svensson, A.Svensson, Higginbotham, Tessem, Fernandes, Telfer. Subs: Williams, Davies, Prutton, Ormerod, Jones.