CRAIG Gardner’s second half double saw Birmingham City gain an unlikely victory despite being dominated for long periods.
Rovers will be kicking themselves after another tale of missed opportunities, especially having taken an early second half lead.
Steven Nzonzi headed Rovers into the lead on 53 minutes from Morten Gamst Pedersen’s corner.
Steven Nzonzi
Birmingham were level though just six minutes later as Rovers’ defence were caught napping and Craig Gardner volleyed home James McFadden’s cross.
Earlier in the second half, Pedersen saw his well-struck penalty saved by Ben Foster as Rovers continued their first half dominance.
Nikola Kalinic should have restored Rovers’ lead on 62 but his free header hit the post and was cleared to safety.
Birmingham took the lead on 71 minutes when Gardner’s 20-yard low shot went past Robinson’s despairing dive and into the back of the net.
Rovers did all the pressing in the latter stages but were unable to capitalise on their heavy pressure.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish:
“It was a tough game, nobody could get going today.
“Ben Foster made a fantastic save from the penalty, but then we fell behind two minutes later, which was galling.
“But Ben saved us two points here today, there’s no doubt about that.
“Up front, we don’t really have the balance right yet, but we’ll keep working to rectify that.”
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce:
“One man’s name will be on everybody’s lips, and that’s Ben Foster – he’s the main reason Birmingham won today.
“We’re very disappointed, having created so many chances, that Foster was in such great form.
“The penalty was hit brilliantly, but it was one hell of a save and unfortunately he made three or four of those.
“In terms of the chances they created, they didn’t cause us too many problems, but we didn’t take our chances.”
Birmingham
* 26 Foster
* 02 Carr
* 05 Johnson
* 06 Ridgewell
* 15 Dann
* 07 Larssonyellow card
* 08 Gardner (Fahey 82)
* 12 Ferguson
* 10 Jerome
* 16 McFadden (Bowyer 77)
* 19 Zigicyellow card (Derbyshire 66)
Substitutes
* 01 Taylor,
* 03 Murphy,
* 04 Bowyer,
* 17 Marcos Madera,
* 18 Fahey,
* 11 O’Connor,
* 14 Derbyshire
Blackburn
* 01 Robinson
* 03 Olsson
* 04 Samba
* 05 Givet (Diouf 73 yellow card)
* 06 Nelsenyellow card
* 27 Salgado
* 28 Jones (Emerton 64)
* 12 Pedersen
* 15 Nzonziyellow card
* 09 Kalinic (Hoilett 84)
* 10 Diouf
Substitutes
* 13 Bunn,
* 02 Jacobsen,
* 33 Morris,
* 07 Emerton,
* 25 Judge,
* 23 Hoilett,
* 41 Diouf
Ref: OliverAtt: 21,394