Graeme Souness had warned his promotion-chasing side of the odd blow to their top-flight hopes – but not even he could have foreseen the sucker-punch that Fulham delivered to Rovers on this day in 2001.

It was a night of high drama at Ewood as the top two did battle, with Rovers having much the better of an action-packed 90 minutes as Jean Tigana's men were left reeling by the first half sending off of Rufus Brevett.

But as Rovers went for the jugular in a frantic finale, Sean Davis suddenly popped up to deliver the ultimate sucker punch just seconds before the bell to leave Rovers out for the count.

It was the cruellest possible way to bring down a proud unbeaten home record that stretched back to mid-November.

But willing to take it on the chin, the Rovers boss said: "I deliberately tried to make the post match press conference as brief as possible because I didn't want to sound like I was making excuses.

"But the bottom line is it was just one of those nights. You ask your team to give you 100 per cent and I got that tonight but it just wasn't to be.

"Lady Luck wasn't with us and to lose the game in the manner we did was a real, real kick in the teeth.

"But we've got to get over that. That's football and that's life.

"It wasn't our night but I've been in football a long time, I've had nights like that before and, unfortunately, I'm going to have them again in the future.

"It's how we deal with that punch on the nose which is important now."

After being outclassed at times during the first bout at Craven Cottage back in October, Souness and his players clearly had a point to prove ahead of this rematch.

All the hype in the build-up to the game had a big-night feel as members of the Rovers camp spoke candidly about showing who was the best team in the League.

And for 45 magic minutes they were as good as their word after Matt Jansen's early header had put them firmly in the driving seat.

When Brevett then got his marching orders for taking a petulant swipe at Garry Flitcroft, the visitors appeared to be on the ropes.

But suddenly Fulham were handed a lifeline when Louis Saha struck a psychological blow right on half-time after profiting from a freak collision involving Brad Friedel and Henning Berg.

And, despite being pinned in their own half for long spells in the second half, they successfully absorbed everything Rovers could throw at them before delivering a painful parting shot of their own.

"We conceded that first goal at a bad time," said Souness.

"It was a bit of bad luck and a bit of bad play.

"But they are two experienced international players and no-one means to make mistakes.

"That could happen at any given time.

"Brad's an excellent cross-taker and Henning's an excellent centre half who reads situations well.

"The two of them just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Davis’ late winner sparked wild celebrations among the visiting fans in a scene reminiscent of the promotion parties staged by Charlton and Manchester City at Ewood last season.

Souness needed to dust his troops down and ensure they too could be enjoying similar scenes by securing a top flight return weeks later.