GARY Bowyer believes Blackburn Rovers’ 6,000 travelling supporters played a major part in helping his side claim a 0-0 draw at Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter finals - as they marked the 20th anniversary of their title triumph in fitting style.

Rovers were back at Anfield 20 years after clinching the Premiership title on the same ground and were full value for a replay as they booked their place in tonight’s semi final draw, which will take place at around 9.45pm.

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Bowyer’s side were backed by 6,000 fans in the Anfield Road End and the manager said that had a real impact as his players produced an outstanding performance.

“My feeling is one of immense pride,” said the Rovers boss.

“The players looked like they really enjoyed themselves and that came from the backing we got.

“Very early in the warm-up the players were commenting on the unbelievable support we received.

“I got a text off a mate who said, ‘We’re going to make some noise today’.

“I said, ‘See if you can make some noise for 90 minutes’ and they did, they were unbelievable.

“This year in the cup the players have proved themselves to be very disciplined and very hard working, and you saw the effort. The character shone through.

“They deserve the credit that they’re going to get.”

Bowyer joined in the applause from the Rovers fans on 20 minutes in tribute to Jack Walker, who was the club’s benefactor when they won the Premiership in 1995.

Bowyer said: “It wasn’t just me, it was the whole backroom staff because it was unbelievable achievement for the people involved at the time, Kenny Dalglish and Jack Walker.”

Rovers will now face Liverpool at Ewood Park in a sixth round replay, although there were suggestions last night that the game may not take place until the week commencing April 6 – with a date yet to be finalised.

Replays were originally due to take place between March 16 and 18, but Liverpool have a Premier League game at Swansea City live on television on March 16.

Bowyer was full of praise for his entire team.

“It wasn’t just our defending that really pleased me,” he said. “Obviously we knew we were going to come to Liverpool and have to do that but I thought we had some really good opportunities, first half especially.

“The players carried out the plan to a T, first half especially, and as a result we managed to get in the game and create a couple of chances.

“Rudy was unplayable at times for them and really caused them some problems.

“It’s very difficult playing up there on your own, but he gets on with it and I thought he was immense.

“But he wasn’t alone, everyone played their part, the back four were outstanding and Easty (Simon Eastwood) has kept a clean sheet at Anfield.

“I thought the midfield five worked their socks off, Craig Conway must have covered unbelievable miles.

“The clean sheets are something we’ve been disappointed with but we’ve worked ever so hard on it and now it’s really coming into our play.

“To have kept two in the last three, which have all been away from home – we were the first team to do it at Bournemouth, and here at Anfield is unbelievable for the players.”