BENNI McCarthy’s late extra-time goal earned Blackburn Rovers victory against Sunderland tonight and booked an FA Cup fifth-round home match against Coventry City.

Aaron Mokoena's superb 25-yard strike before half time cancelled out David Healy's opener for Sunderland and neither side could grab a winner before the end of 90 minutes.

Jason Roberts and Roque Santa Cruz both saw second-half efforts saved by Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon, while Grant Leadbitter fired inches wide at the other end.

Carlos Villanueva then saw his free kick saved and Zurab Khizanishvili headed over the bar.

Khizanishvili had hit the post for Rovers in the opening stages of the match but Sunderland went ahead against the run of play in the seventh minute as Daryl Murphy's shot ricocheted into the path of Healy, who found the net.

Roberts then had a shot saved and Santa Cruz somehow missed the target from inside the six-yard box.

But South African midfielder Mokoena came up with a rare goal eight minutes before half time to make it 1-1.

Villanueva fired wide in extra time before substitute McCarthy headed in a cross with two minutes of the additional period remaining.

Rovers: Paul Robinson; Danny Simpson, Zurab Khizanishvili, Ryan Nelsen (Andre Ooijer 87), Gael Givet; Carlos Villanueva, David Dunn (Tugay 61), Aaron Mokoena, Keith Treacy; Jason Roberts, Roque Santa Cruz (Benni McCarthy 72). Subs not used: Mark Bunn, Martin Olsson, Aaron Doran, Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Sunderland: Craig Gordon; Michael Kay (Phil Bardsley 56), Anton Ferdinand, Danny Collins, George McCartney (Nathan Luscombe 106); Carlos Edwards, Grant Leadbitter, Andy Reid, Steed Malbranque (Dwight Yorke 76); Daryl Murphy, David Healy. Subs not used: Nick Colgan, Dean Whitehead, Kieran Richardson, Jack Colback.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Attendance: 10,112.