BLACKBURN's embarrassment is now all but complete after they were knocked out of the English League Cup by. the second division journeymen of Stockport County.

It was a deserved victory for the visitors, who reached the last 16 of this competition for the first time in 23 years. With Blackburn rooted to the foot of the Premiership, this result could cost their manager Ray Harford his job.

Rovers fans shuffled nervously on hearing the team news; it did not carry glad tidings, with Chris Sutton, Stuart Ripley and Colin Hendry all missing.

The cold and windy conditions were hardly conducive to the sort of orderly football that Blackburn still try to play. Their opponents were rather more direct, with everything being routed towards the towering Angell.

The evidence that Blackburn would fare a good deal better if their own attacks were slightly more rudimentary was all too apparent. They frequently played one pass too many, which left them marooned on the edge of the Stockport penalty area.

The threat to either goal had been minimal until the 23rd minute, when the minnows struck. Mike Flynn's long throw was drifting towards Angell when Blackburn's goalkeeper Tim Flowers dashed from his line to intercept, but his punch struck the back of Tim Sherwood's head and looped back over him into the net.

And so it was against a backdrop of clearly audible groans that Blackburn's grim fight for self-respect was undertaken. After so many weeks of patience and understanding there was rebellion in the air.

The problem was that Stockport had scented blood and promptly scurried forward in search of a second, decisive goal. They almost got it, with Todd and Chris Marsden both going close as Blackburn's confidence sank to boot level.

Then rich applause began to cascade down the stands but it was the Blackburn faithful saluting Stockport. It was touching, but also rather sad.