Newcastle's Champions League credentials were ripped up by teenager Paul Gallagher as Blackburn snatched all three points with a controversial 1-0 win at St James' Park.
The 19-year-old struck 18 minutes from time with a scrappy goal which he bundled home with his hand to settle a game which might have gone either way.
Rovers worked hard throughout to stifle a lacklustre Newcastle, who could not break down the visitors. They had chances with Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel making a series of good saves but Newcastle's St James' Park dominance of old now seems a distant memory.