If the defeat to Manchester United left Newcastle on the ropes in their failed bid for the Premier League crown in 1995 then it was loss to Blackburn at Ewood Park that struck the fatal blow. And the fact that two players reared in the legendary Wallsend academy delivered the double sucker punch added to the trauma of watching our title bid disintegrate in front of a live TV audience. Going into the match training the Red Devils by six points, Keegan and his players knew anything but victory would allow Ferguson put two hands on the trophy. And all was going to plan as ex-Rovers midfielder David Batty scored to put the Magpies on course for a crucial win. Enter Graham Fenton, a precocious young striker hailing from Whitley Bay, from the bench to score twice inside the final four minutes to all but crush our hopes of a first top-flight title in 70 years. Both goals inexplicably aided and abetted by a fellow Newcastle fan, one Alan Shearer. You just couldnt write it any better.
