Football is a results business but sometimes a moment can stand out beyond the score line.

Blackburn Rovers returned to winning ways in the Championship with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough but it was the poignancy of Sam Szmodics' opener that will be remembered most. 

Rovers rolled out legends of the past before kick-off to mark their 5,000th league game as a football club. They're only the seventh club to achieve that feat, a nod to their proud history.

The club's prestige has been on display this season as the club rallied around to mark the sad passing of stadium announcer Matt Sillitoe last month. This was Rovers' first home game since and Ewood Park marked the occasion with a standing ovation in the 30th minute.

Maybe it was fate then that Szmodics opened the scoring, a fine drive past Seny Dieng into the far corner, in a moment that made the hairs stand up on the back of your net. 

It was a lead that Rovers had deserved. After two weeks to mull over their disappointment against Plymouth Argyle, Rovers came flying out of the traps. They made all the early running and should've had the lead after just a few minutes.

Lovely passing down the right side saw Ryan Hedges turn the ball into Callum Brittain's path, who sent over a sumptuous ball right on the head of Tyrhys Dolan. It looked like a certain goal but the off-colour forward headed over the bar.

Brittain was lively in the early stages, justifying Jon Dahl Tomasson's decision to select him ahead of the fit-again Joe Rankin-Costello. He created Rovers' second big opportunity of the match with a lovely weighted ball to spring Sam Gallagher behind the Boro defence.

Despite his prolific record against the Teessiders, Gallagher squared for Lewis Travis but he was denied by Seny Dieng from 12 yards. 10 minutes on and the feeling of Deja Vu was felt around Ewood Park.

Middlesbrough had barely had a sniff with 15 minutes gone with Rovers pressing their opponents high in their half. They began to get a foothold but it would only turn out to be a short reprieve.

As Ewood Park got to its feet to applaud the late Matt Cillitoe, in Rovers' first home game since his sad passing, Carter stepped forward, slipped the ball to Gallagher and his dummy gave Szmodics a clear sight of goal. One touch and bang. 1-0 and goosebumps all around.

On what was a landmark day for Blackburn Rovers, becoming only the seventh club to hit the 5,000-league game milestone, the beautiful touch of fate, fortune or whatever you believe in, was a reminder of why we cherish our football clubs so much. That sense of community and belonging was encapsulated in that one moment.

It was the least Rovers deserved too. They should've been further clear by half-time but Gallagher headed wide. 

Into the second half, the same pattern emerged. Dolan's poor day in front of goal continued as he elected to shoot rather than pass with team-mates better placed in the area.

But the comfort blanket Rovers desired soon followed. A swift, incisive counter-attack finished with Szmodics on the edge of the box and he lashed in his second to give the hosts some breathing room.

That was short-lived though as Middlesbrough came roaring back. Matt Crooks halved the deficit with a deft back-flick in the area whilst Rovers appealed in vain for an offside flag.

Having looked fairly blunt until that point, that goal sparked the visitors into life. Emmanuel Latte Lath fired over, Marcus Forss shot just wide and Aynsley Pears was forced to tip Lewis O'Brien's strike wide as Michael Carrick's side applied the pressure.

Rovers had their chances to finish the contest. Ryan Hedges was twice denied by smart saves from Dieng before the Boro 'keeper denied Szmodics a hat-trick, one-vs-one.

It was nervy but Blackburn got over the line and recorded their third win of the Championship season. It was a familiar tale of a team that should have been out of sight by the time Boro's late rally came.

5,000 not out.