Albion's youngsters created club history last night.

They fought back from 2-1 down at Ewood Park to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup for the first time.

Two goals by Joe Gatting, his 29th and 30th of the season, fired the young Seagulls into the last eight where they will play Newcastle United at St James's Park.

It all appeared to be going wrong for Dean Wilkins' side, who led through a strike by captain Tommy Fraser, only to concede two soft goals and trail with three minutes of normal time remaining.

The moment Albion dreamed of to settle any nerves came from a Tommy Elphick ball forward after 15 minutes.

Gatting and Dan Leach touched the ball on, Frank Fielding produced a brilliant block to thwart Fraser from point-blank range but Stephen Thomson's attempted clearance rebounded in off Fraser.

Albion keeper Richard Martin was called into serious action for the first time after 40 minutes, holding a low shot from a tight angle by Republic of Ireland under-18 international Alan Judge.

The visitors countered almost immediately, Wes Fogden's dangerous left-wing cross creating another chance for Fraser which the hard-working midfielder headed wide.

Rovers levelled in controversial fashion four minutes after the break.

Fraser charged down Thomson's fierce shot, but referee Steve Bratt penalised him for handball and Woods converted confidently from the spot.

Soon after the hour, Paul Hinshelwood was booked for a foul on Keith Treacy and it proved expensive when Treacy took the free kick.

His cross-shot bounced once in front of Martin, who could only parry it out for 16-year-old defender Dean Winnard to prod Rovers in front from close range.

Fielding held Elphick's header from a Scott Chamberlain corner before Rovers went close to doubling their lead, Judge's angled drive rebounding to safety off the far post.

First-year scholar Sonny Cobbs, who struck a 25-yard winner against Port Vale in round three, tried his luck from similar range, only for Fielding to hold on.

But the Rovers keeper was badly at fault after 87 minutes, missing his kick when attempting a routine clearance.

Gatting rolled the ball into the empty net from a tight angle, sending the 100 or so Albion fans into delirium.

Martin and Fielding partially redeemed themselves with saves from Judge and Gatting in the first period of extra-time.

Lively substitute Lloyd Skinner headed off target before Gatting headed off the far post from Chamberlain's free kick.

If the first 90 minutes had been evenly contested, Albion were clearly the dominant side in extra time and struck again five minutes before the looming penalty shoot-out.

Gatting latched on to Joel Lynch's ball over the top and finished clinically with a low shot into the far corner.

It was no more than Albion deserved against a Rovers side who top their youth league ahead of Manchester City and United.

Albion director of football Martin Hinshelwood said: "We're very pleased to win the game. It's a great experience for the boys playing here and going to Newcastle will be a magnificent experience for them.

"We're a little disappointed because we can perhaps play a little bit better, but we showed a lot of character to come back from 2-1 down."

Blackburn: Fielding; Bateson, Olsson, Hodge, Winnard, Thomson, Judge, Pizzoni (Treacy 59), Clarke, De Vita (Garner 59), Woods. Unused subs: Somodi, King, Ahmed.

Albion: R. Martin; P. Hinshelwood, Cobbs, Chamberlain, T. Elphick, Lynch, Fogden (Taylor 78), Fraser, Gatting, Leach (Gargan 86), Jarvis (Skinner 71). Unused subs: Winterton, J. Martin.