BLACKBURN Rovers fans braved a bitterly cold January night to watch their team in action as a big screen was installed at Ewood Park.

In 1994 Rovers were drawn against First Division Portsmouth in the third round of the FA Cup with the tie ending 3-3 with goals from Tim Sherwood, Kevin Gallacher and Alan Shearer.

Two weeks later the midweek replay was too long a journey for the majority of Rovers fans to undertake so the decision was taken to beam the match live back to Ewood Park - this was before the days of digital TV and seemingly endless coverage of football on TV.

Those hardy fans who turned out had something to cheer about as Rovers ran out 3-1 winners at Fratton Park with Shearer again on the scoresheet along with Jason Wilcox and David May.

But their route to Wembley ended in the next round with the team losing 1-0 to Charlton Athletic in a replay although they did finish runner-s-up to Manchester United in the Premier League.