REMEMBER where you were on Saturday, January 19, 2002.

For like Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon or the day JFK was shot, Rovers' trip to Old Trafford was an equally historic occasion.

But I'm not talking about the record-breaking exploits of deadly Dutchman Ruud Van Nistelrooy who became the first man ever to score in eight consecutive Premiership games.

No, I'm referring to the fact Sir Alex Ferguson was finally gracious enough to admit for practically the first time in recent memory that his all-conquering Reds came off second best against their old Championship rivals from the other end of the M61.

In all his time at Old Trafford, Fergie compliments have been about as rare as United fans actually living in Manchester!

But even he couldn't disguise the fact that Rovers were robbed of a point in what can only be described as a major miscarriage of justice.

Forget the Guildford Four or the Birmingham Six. Amnesty International should be taking up the case of the 'Blackburn Eleven' today.

Over the last 48 hours, the national Press have gone Van Nistelrooy mad after the Dutch master penned his name in United folklore.

But amidst all the furore has anyone bothered to point out that his record-breaking effort should never have counted in the first place?

Not only did Laurent Blanc appear to take a dive under a 'challenge' from Brad Friedel in first half injury time but according to my watch both sets of players should have been back in the dressing room having a half-time cuppa when Sheffield ref Uriah Rennie pointed to the spot.

The fourth official had clearly signalled there was just one minute of stoppage time after an absorbing first half in which neither team had had a man booked or a player requiring treatment.

So why then did my watch read 46 minutes and 35 seconds when Blanc suddenly went down as if a sniper had shot him in the crowd?

The only conclusion I can draw is that we were playing 'Fergie time' -- you know, that period at the end of each half at Old Trafford where time appears to stand still until United score.

Understandably, Ewood chief Graeme Souness was irate about the award afterwards, but then it wouldn't Rovers versus United without such a controversial turning point.

"They got a penalty which was never a penalty," blasted Souness.

"Blanc kicked the ball and dived -- he never would have reached it.

"But I don't blame him for that because our keeper had committed himself."

Clearly, it was always meant to be Ruud Van Nistelrooy's day.

And whatever the arguments about the legitimacy of his record-breaker, there's no denying the fact that scoring in eight successive Premiership games is a phenomenal achievement by a very special player.

Graciously, Rovers striker Matt Jansen led the tributes afterwards to a genuine master of the striker's art.

"It's easy to forget that it's only a couple of years ago since Ruud had a terrible knee injury that threatened his career but what he's achieved since is incredible," said Jansen.

"When United paid £18 million for him there were question marks about whether or not he would be worth the money.

"People were asking would he break down after the injury and all the rest of it but Ruud has shown the world just what an astonishing talent he is.

"In many ways he's the complete centre forward. He's great in the air, very fast, professional, a good team player and he's not afraid to chase about either.

"He reminds me of Holland's old striker Marco Van Basten because he's got such an incredible eye for goal.

"He's a giant of a man but he's got a great touch for such a tall guy.

"So the guy is a natural and it won't be long before he's recognised as the best striker in Europe."

For long periods of the second half, however, a rejuvenated Rovers had threatened to spoil the Dutchman's party.

Jansen and Andy Cole -- given a tumultuous reception on his Old Trafford return -- contrived to fashion a brilliant equaliser for Craig Hignett in the 49th minute.

And had Damien Duff brought his shooting boots, the visitors might then have gone on to secure a priceless victory.

But after Van Nistelrooy had hit the underside of the bar with a breathtaking over-head kick, Roy Keane then won it for United with nine minutes left.

That was another cruel blow in a frustrating season of gross underachievement.

But Rovers must console themselves with the fact they proved more than a match for the best team in England.

Everyone in a blue and white shirt was simply magnificent on the day against a side who have swept all before them over the last six weeks.

Souness, surprisingly, decided to leave Henning Berg on the bench but Martin Taylor and Nils-Eric Johansson were outstanding at the back.

Lucas Neill was inspired down the right and what about midfield duo David Dunn and Tugay?

Pitched against the second best midfield pairing in the world, both were awesome with Dunn in particular in England form.

And Cole and Jansen dovetailed impressively up front as the visitors always carried a threat going forward.

But what singles out United above anyone else is their ability to ground out a result when their backs are against the wall.

With all eyes on Van Nistelrooy and his record attempt, it was actually Paul Scholes who carried the biggest threat in an entertaining first half.

Three times the England man tried his luck from distance and only a goal-line clearance from Lucas Neill prevented Old Gunnar Solksjaer from breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute.

But with Dunn driving them on from midfield, Rovers grew in confidence as an attacking force as Jansen and Hignett both went close.

It was United who broke the deadlock, though, deep into first half injury time.

Blanc shimmied between a couple of defenders in the box and went down after Friedel dived at his feet, leaving Van Nistelrooy to score emphatically from the spot.

That failed to break Rovers' spirit, however, and they were back on level terms within four minutes of the restart.

A brilliant flick from Cole found Jansen who expertly delayed before playing a perfectly-weighted pass inside Denis Irwin which Hignett confidently dispatched past Barthez.

Duff then had the chance to fire Rovers in front when he raced onto Tugay's through ball but Barthez saved the day.

And that proved costly as United then snatched a winner in the 81st minute.

Van Nistelrooy had already struck the bar with a sumptuous overhead when the ball broke to Ryan Giggs in the area, his clever backheel found Keane, and the inspirational Irishman fired past Friedel.

The rest, as they say, was history...

MAN UTD...2

Scorers: van Nistelrooy 45 pen, Keane 81

ROVERS...1

Scorer: Hignett 49

Attendance...67,552