Twenty years ago, Rovers were struggling following a disappointing 2003/04 campaign. After three matches without a win in the new season, manager Graeme Souness welcomed Sir Alex Ferguson to Ewood on Saturday 28th August 2004.

Seven days after a last-minute penalty fiasco Southampton, another lunchtime kick-off saw Rovers host Manchester United. Morten Gamst Pedersen debuted and his trademark long throw was superbly collected and finished by Paul Dickov. 

Despite Lorenzo Amoruso’s red card on 70 minutes, Rovers were on course to claim a 1-0 home win over United for the third successive season thanks to the typically heroic efforts of Brad Friedel. 

But then another great Ewood scandal happened in a Rovers v United encounter. Did Ferguson influence the officials to add an extra minute of injury time? 

Cameras picked up on fourth official Chris Foy inputting ‘3’ on the board while Ferguson fumed… but when the board was held aloft for the crowd the number glaring out was ‘4’. Almost inevitably, United equalised in the 94th minute. 

“I know what happened but I am not commenting,” said Graeme Souness. Referee Alan Wiley defended it: “The fourth official thought it was three minutes but I said, ‘No, it is four.’” 

Regardless of the board controversy, the goal should have been ruled out as Louis Saha had punched the ball back to Alan Smith, who lashed home in front of the Darwen End with 30 seconds left to play. 

It proved to be Souness’ last match in charge of Rovers: he was now out of ideas and out of luck.

ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Short, Amoruso, Matteo, Thompson (Emerton 17), Ferguson, Tugay, Pedersen, Stead (Yorke 64), Dickov (Johansson 71).
Subs Not Used: De Pedro, Enckelman.

UNITED: Howard, Gary Neville, O'Shea, Silvestre, Spector (Miller 75), Ronaldo, Djemba-Djemba (Bellion 80), Kleberson (Saha 45), Giggs, Scholes, Smith. Subs Not Used: Phil Neville, Carroll.

ATTENDANCE: 26,155

The above snippet is taken from Issue 107 of 4,000 Holes, which provides a light-hearted review of the noughties – ORDER VIA THIS LINK.