A new look Blackburn United clinched the Asian Image Cup to book their place in the National Asian football Championships.

After a disastrous performance last year the Blackburn side pipped Rochdale's Asia FC into top spot at the North West play-offs held in Preston.

Last year's winners Canaries finished third after going down to Asia FC in their final game.

Nelson's Pak United who had gone into the tournament on the back of a league and cup double lost all three of their games.

The play-offs took place over the May bank holiday weekend with three games in three days for each team.

Blackburn United manager Big Nav Scholari' seems to have instilled a new found belief in his side this season.

The United of old may have wilted under the pressure but this team led by the likes of Hafeji, Sidik, Adam and Master had a never say die attitude.

The turning moment for United came late into the opener against Canaries. Trailing 2-1 Butt broke free to fire 10 man United back on level terms.

Against Asia, Patel's thundorous opener set Blackburn on their way to a comfortable 3-0 win.

In their last game the tension was finally broken when Butt was quickest to react after a great effort by Zuber hit the bar. Ahmad made it three goals in three games when he raced away to put his side two up.

Asia finished second after beating Canaries in their final game. Abid Uddin scored two to put Asia into top spot after day one. He could have had a hat-trick but missed a penalty in a wonderful first half for Asia.

After a bad second day they needed a result in their final game to have any chance and against Canaries they dug deep to win 2-0.

Canaries were the culprits of their own downfall. Against United they couldn't hold the lead against 10 men and against Asia found themselves wanting up front.

Too many wasted opportunties put added pressure on all too square and at times static Canaries defence.

Paak will want to forget this year's play-offs. They never recovered from that bad first half against Asia. And when they lost to Canaries in the second game it was all over.

Despite starting well against Blackburn in the final game there were few highlights for the side.

IMAGE TEAM OF THE PLAY-OFFS GK: Nasir Ali (Canaries) LB: Javed Hagi (Canaries) CB: Zegham Khan (Asia) CB: Kalim Hafeji (B/burn United) RB: Shazib Bin Zaman (Paak) LM: Minaj Patel (B/burn United) CM: Majid Ahmed (Paak) CM: Javed Chaudhry (Asia) RM: Suleman Hafeji (Canaries) F: Ahmad Sidat (B/burn United) F: Abid Uddin (Asia)