Pep Clotet said Jeremie Bela exploited a weakness on the left side of the Rovers defence to score Birmingham City’s winner against Rovers.

Bela struck in injury-time as his cross-shot found a way beyond Jayson Leutwiler to give the 10-man Blues victory.

Bela was moved to the right wing after Ivan Sunjic was sent off for Birmingham, and it was from there that he came up with the winner.

And boss Clotet said: “When we swapped his side he showed he is even more dangerous.

“Blackburn had a bit of a weakness there. He had the chance and he used it. That’s what the good players in the league do.”

Sunjic was dismissed less than two minutes after coming on, losing the ball to Sam Gallagher who he then pulled to the floor.

A penalty and red card was the decision of referee Oliver Langford, decisions that Clotet agreed with.

He added:  “The referee understood that it was the last man, the last defender. I think he took the right decision. That’s what the rule says.

“What happened then is important it was 1-1 and the game was very uphill for us.

“We have to praise all the players involved especially Jacques Maghoma who understood very well the moment.

“We had less attacks but we attacked well when we could. I do think it is a deserved result.

“Every time you win a game with 10 men you have to do a lot of things right to make that happen.”

Birmingham had taken just one point from their previous six matches, that being a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park on Boxing Day.

And to claim a first win since December 7, Clotet said: “I am very happy.

“I like to take the FA Cup seriously, first because it is important for our fans and second because we have been struggling to be solid in the last month.

“The fans have been superb when it comes to backing the players and backing myself through this tough period and the fact that we can beat a tough team like Blackburn.

“We won with 10 men and a team that is dying for the shirt out there. It gives me immense pleasure.”