The Lancashire Telegraph’s Blackburn Rovers reporter Andy Cryer says what it was like for Steve Kean’s men to take part in Saturday’s emotional derby YOU got the feeling the footballing world was willing Bolton on at the Reebok Stadium, leaving Blackburn Rovers very much feeling like trespassers.

Rovers fans, like everyone else, watched the events unfold at White Hart Lane in horror and have been delighted by Fabrice Muamba’s incredible progress.

All rivalries had been put to one side as the whole of football held its breath for a young man who was left fighting for his life. Football had been united.

It was back to business on Saturday, though, as 5,000 Rovers fans made the short journey, knowing the result could have huge bearing on the relegation fight.

It was a strange feeling. Rovers were always going to face a difficult afternoon as it felt as though they had gatecrashed a very special sort of occasion.

Rovers players, fans and officials will have been honoured to have been able to show Muamba their support by joining in such a moving pre-match tribute. But they will have wished they were not there for the next 90 minutes.

It was difficult not to get carried away by the wave of emotion surrounding the clash. You almost felt as though it was in the script for Bolton to end a traumatic week with three points.

Rovers players saw the scarves and shirts laid outside the Reebok from well wishers as they entered the ground, and the enormity of their task on the field became clear.

If Rovers had spoiled Bolton’s very special afternoon you couldn’t have helped leaving the Reebok feeling a little bit guilty.

Defeat drags Blackburn back into the relegation scrap but what happened at White Hart Lane puts everything into perspective. After all, it’s only a game.