SAM Allardyce believes Blackburn Rovers' victory over Birmingham City tonight could have secured his side's status in the Premier League.

Rovers ran out 2-1 winners at Ewood Park to move 14 points clear of the relegation zone.

"We are mathematically not safe but we think that is enough for us to look up rather than down," said Allardyce after the match.

David Dunn's two goals secured victory, but despite an injury concern Allardyce was quick to praise his talisman's 'outstanding quality'.

Dunn has never scored a Premier League hat-trick, and the Rovers boss believes he was robbed of that tonight.

"The quality of David Dunn's three goals, it was only two but it should have been three," he said.

Home form has been crucial to Blackburn's progress this term, and Allardyce has no doubts as to how important it is for his side.

"We have had home form that is unbelievable, we have got nine wins, four draws and two defeats only," he said.

"If you just had the Premier League on home form tomorrow we would be in the top four."

Getting the three points was the most important thing, and Rovers can now look forward to derby day.

"The victory was the most important thing today, and we got that," said Allardyce.

"That leaves us a great opportunity to play our local rivals on Sunday with less fears now."