The game's first real chance fell to Gareth Whalley, who volleyed a loose ball from a corner in the 10th minute, only to see it stopped brilliantly by Brian Parkin.Their dominance was short-lived, as Rovers attacked with gusto and some skill. A 30-yard free-kick by Gareth Taylor, a Welsh Under-21 international, flew just wide of the post.Rovers' chances then came thick and fast - Marcus Stewart, Paul Miller and Taylor could all have scored. The best opportunity fell to Worrell Sterling, whose header after an error from the Crewe goalkeeper, Mark Gayle, was cleared dramatically off the line by Gus Wilson.All things considered, the visitors were fortunate to reach half-time with the scoreline 0-0 and luckier still that they did not concede a goal to a fine diving header from Stewart early in the second half. His flying effort from a David Pritchard cross scraped the post. Moments later, another Stewart effort came to nothing when his header was cleared off the line by Danny Murphy.A smiling Dario Gradi, the Crewe manager, said: "We have by no means won this tie just by getting a 0-0 here. But this was a good result and we are looking forward to going to Gresty Road."Bristol Rovers (4-4-2): Parkin; Pritchard, Gurney, Stewart (Channing, 34,) Clark; Tillson, Sterling, Miller, Taylor; Skinner, Archer. Substitutes not used: Browning, Collett (gk)Crewe Alexandra (4-4-2): Gayle; Booty, Smith (Wilson,17), Barr, Macauley; Whalley, Tierney, Collins, Adebola (Clarkson, 90); Lennon, Murphy.

Substitute not used: Smith (gk)Referee: P Allcock (Redhill).. BY GLENN MOORE Liverpool 2 Blackburn Rovers 1They were united against United. Rarely, if ever, can a match have been so joyfully acclaimed by supporters of both sides. Blackburn Rovers lost their final match of the season, but in the end the result was academic because Manchester United's draw at West Ham was enough to make Rovers champions.Still, no one knew that until it was almost over and, after all the talk about Liverpool providing Rovers with a red carpet to the title, United have only themselves to blame.

But the championship is won over 42 matches, not one, and, after 18 titles of their own, Anfield folk know that better than anyone. Their cheers at the end were not just aimed at Old Trafford, they also were in honour of Blackburn's first title since 1914.New challenges now beckon for the Lancashire side but Kenny Dalglish caught the right mood afterwards when he said: "It is a time to just enjoy it. When you win things people always want to look ahead but I do not want to look further than where to go tonight. This title is different to those at Liverpool and Celtic, there was always a lot of expectation there We have only been in the Premier League three years.

I am still a bit shocked by it."Dalglish also paid tribute to the Liverpool men who appointed him as a manager back in 1985 "Without them I would probably never have managed," he said. "They saw qualities in me I did not know I had."Not that they made it easy for him yesterday. Behind to Alan Shearer's 34th goal of the season (equalling Andy Cole's Premiership record) they equalised through John Barnes before winning the game with a Jamie Redknapp free-kick two minutes into injury time.It was a dramatic denouement. For a few seconds everyone associated with Blackburn held their breath Even Liverpool seemed unsure if they should celebrate "My heart stopped," said Jack Walker, Rovers' benefactor.

Then, before Rovers had even kicked off, news came through that West Ham had held Manchester United and the ground erupted. "I thought, 'it's a miracle', " Walker said.It was an ending in keeping with the day. The pre-match was festive atmosphere, as if it were a testimonial rather than a championship decider. Both groups of supporters cheered each set of players as the line-ups were announced and there were even some Blackburn colours on the Kop - although Juventus shirts were more common.Then, as if to justify Mancunian doubts, when Liverpool kicked-off the Kop booed their own players before cheering as Rovers won possession. But then came a chorus of "Liverpool, Liverpool" and normal support was resumed - the penalty appeal when David Batty appeared to bring down Robbie Fowler with 14 minutes left dispelling all doubts.The team had always looked interested.