4–3 on aggregate. Nevertheless, he was part of the squad that saw Blackburn Rovers Youth win 3–0 against Everton Youth in a penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw after extra-time. However, in the final of the Lancashire FA Youth Cup, they lost 3–1 against Manchester United Youth. The following season, Dunn played in both legs of the FA Youth Cup, as they lost 5–3 on aggregate against Everton Youth. The start of the 1998–99 season saw Dunn being called up to the first-team squad by manager Roy Hodgson. He made his debut during a goalless draw with Everton on 26 September 1998. Dunn came off the bench after 70 minutes, but was taken off after just 11 minutes on the pitch, due to the sending off of Martin Dahlin. After making his debut, he said: "I am not a nervous person so it doesn't really bother me. I am just glad to be playing. It's exciting and a brilliant experience. I was just happy to go on no matter how long it was for. It was a surprise to come off but it had to be done for the team. The gaffer explained to me why he did it afterwards and I agree with him." In his second appearance, Blackburn beat Newcastle United at St James' Park in the League Cup; Dunn scored the winning penalty in the shootout. The end of the year saw Dunn being linked a move away from Blackburn Rovers, as Preston North End wanted to sign him on loan. But it was announced on 12 December that he signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2003. His first goal came in a 3–1 victory against Aston Villa on 6 February. Throughout the 1998–99 season, he had receive a handful of first-team appearances for the club. At the end of the 1998–99 season, Dunn made sixteen appearances and scored one goal in all competitions. Ahead of the 1999–2000 season, it was expected that Dunn was to fight for his first-team place in the central midfield position. He began the season when he appeared in a number of matches, either starting a match and coming on as a substitute, without able to play the whole game for the side. On 22 September, Dunn scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–1 win against Portsmouth in the second round of the League Cup. Dunn