THE creators of 'Roy of the Rovers' called a crisis meeting last night after disgruntled fans complained that recent storylines have not been cutting the mustard.

There was once a time when the legendary comic-strip hero hada monopoly on football miracles.

These days, however, it doesn't seem to matter what far-fetched adventures the writers dream up for Melchester's finest - they all pale into insignificance when compared with the real-life exploits of Jonathan Stead.

Three months ago, the 21-year-old striker was a relative unknown scratching a living in the lower reaches of the Nationwide League.

Now, he's not only the saviour of Blackburn Rovers' season but the scourge of Manchester United.

In anyone's book, it's an incredible rags-to-riches story - and one that you couldn't have made up if you'd tried!

But when Stead and his family finally stop pinching themselves, they will come to realise that the events of the last three months have not been some wild fantasy.

For it's one thing scoring against the Evertons and Middlesbroughs of this world but it's another altogether when you grab the winner against United and a place in the Premiership for another 12 months.

But if anyone was going to steal the glory in typical comic book fashion then it was fitting that Stead should be the man to banish Rovers' relegation fears once and for all.

Five goals in his previous 10 games had steered the club to the brink of safety.

Then came the coup de grace, a beautifully executed strike that ensured Rovers crossed the finishing line in some style.

As Stead soaked up the adulation of an adoring Blackburn public, few could deny him his moment of glory - not that it's likely to go to his head.

If anything, Stead looked a touch embarrassed by his new-found hero status as he faced the media in Saturday's post-match Press conference.

Modest, unassuming and level-headed are all words you could use to describe the new darling of the Blackburn End.

But when it comes to measuring his contribution in the fight for survival, just one will suffice - priceless.

In an era when relegation from the Premiership effectively amounts to financial ruin, Stead's goals have saved Rovers from a fate far worse than debt.

And the great thing is, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

There's a wholesome quality about Stead that's refreshing in an age when footballers often make headlines for all the wrong reasons, and he epitomises everything that Blackburn Rovers stands for.

On the field, his performances perfectly encapsulate the club motto 'Arte et Labore' - by skill and hard work.

Off it, the exemplary way in which he conducts himself is a great credit to his family.

It takes incredible character and self-belief to make the step up from the Third Division to the Premiership but Stead looks at home in his new surroundings and even if he failed to score another goal for Rovers, he's already become one of the club's greatest ever pound-for-pound signings.

Something tells me, though, that there's plenty more goals to come from this lethal predator yet.

Rovers fans got a glimpse of the future when Paul Gallagher, Graeme Souness's other prodigious young striker, carved open a static United defence for Stead to slot away the winner with typical aplomb in the 85th minute.

Surely, there's no better way to secure your Premiership status than beating Manchester United with a goal of the highest quality at a sun-drenched Ewood Park?

Stead will get the credit for keeping Rovers up, and rightly so because his contribution has been immense.

But the fight for survival has been a real team effort, from the players and the coaching staff right through to the fans.

There was a time in the New Year when the board could have panicked as the team embarked on a miserable run of just one win in 10 games.

Some managers have been sacked for less but John Williams and the board stood by their man and that patience was mirrored on the terraces, where the fans showed unstinting loyalty towards Graeme Souness and his players.

Souness deserves great credit, too, for taking a calculated risk when the chips were down.

He bucked the trend in plucking a player from the Third Division and his gamble has paid handsome dividends.

Of course, mistakes have also been made and people must learn from them this summer to prevent a similar scenario unfolding next season.

But now is not the time for recriminations and finger-pointing. That will come when the season reaches its climax.

Instead, let's celebrate a victory over United for the second successive season.

Should Rovers beat the Reds again next season, does that mean they get to take them home and put them on the mantelpiece?

Rovers were worthy winners against a wretched United side.

Much has been made of the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson was missing key men like Roy Keane, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes and Louis Saha.

But don't forget Rovers were depleted, too. Craig Short, Lorenzo Amoruso, Barry Ferguson and David Thompson would all appear in Souness's first choice eleven if fit.

But those who were drafted in as replacements did an admirable job in their absence.

It was all Rovers in the first half. Andy Cole had a curling shot tipped aside by Tim Howard, Garry Flitcroft blasted another effort wide from the edge of the box, and a measured strike from Stead flashed inches wide of the post.

United were also indebted to a linesman's flag when the excellent Cole pulled down Michael Gray's cross but his deft finish was harshly deemed offside.

After the break, United began to enjoy more possession but Rovers still posed the greater attacking threat.

An intricate move involving Lucas Neill, Cole and Flitcroft ended with Tugay testing Howard's reflexes once again.

Finally, in the 76th minute, Brad Friedel was forced into his one meaningful save of the afternoon. Gary Neville picked out Ryan Giggs with a cross from the right but Friedel brilliantly thwarted the Welshman at point-blank range.

As the clocked ticked down, Souness decided to throw on Gallagher, and within 60 seconds the young Scot had created the winner, pirouetting on the edge of the box before threading a sublime pass between Neville and Wes Brown for Stead, who swept it brilliantly past Howard.

United threatened an equaliser at the death as Darren Fletcher headed over, then Diego Forlan missed an even simpler chance from one yard out. Even a linesman's flag couldn't spare his embarrassment.

In the end, though, Rovers deservedly held on.

ROVERS 1

Stead 85

MAN UNITED 0

Ewood Park. Att: 29,616