BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes admitted he was a relieved man after his side scraped past plucky Cardiff City in the FA Cup last night.

Rovers set up a fourth round meeting with Colchester United thanks to a 3-2 victory over the Bluebirds in a gripping replay at Ewood Park.

But Lennie Lawrence's Championship side pushed Rovers all the way and they were unlucky not to force extra time in the end.

"It was a poor game from our point of view and we never really played well at any stage in it," said Hughes.

"We possibly got sucked into the kind of game that Cardiff wanted to play but, fair play to them, they were energetic and got up to the ball which, at times we didn't do, so it was a hard night."

"We kept getting forced back by the long balls. I think we needed to be a little braver and keep a higher line, then drop back at the last moment.

"But we didn't get our line right and that made the game too open.

"So we're thankful we got the result and we're in the hat but we know we need to play better than that."

Rovers got off to the perfect start when David Thompson fired them into a ninth minute lead only for Cardiff to equalise through Jobi McAnuff.

Thompson then restored Rovers' lead with a freak goal that deceived City keeper Tony Warner and Morten Gamst Pedersen's fourth goal in his last four appearances appeared to have put the tie out of Cardiff's reach.

However, James Collins then reduced the deficit again and Rovers had to survive some nervy moments late on before finally booking their place in the next round.

"In fairness to the players, they've been at a high level for a long time but we dropped off that (last night) and got away with it," admitted Hughes.

Meanwhile, the Rovers boss is still hopeful of hanging on to Barry Ferguson, even though the Scotland captain handed in a transfer request earlier this week, which is now being considered.

Asked if he was resigned to losing the 26-year-old, Hughes said: "Not at all. It's common knowledge now that Barry has put in a transfer request.

"That will be discussed by the board in the next couple of days and then a decision will be made.

"But, from my point of view, I want him to stay."

In the meantime, Ferguson has escaped a ban following his clash with Crystal Palace defender Fitz Hall, the FA deciding instead to warn him as to his future conduct.