TWO high quality goals gave Blackburn the cushion to survive Andy Todd's second-half dismissal as Alan Murray's side collected their third win of the season at a freezing cold Morecambe last night.

Todd, booked for a trip before the break, was sent off in the 58th-minute for delaying a throw-in to earn his second caution.

That forced Rovers onto the back foot, but with Stig Bjornebye continuing his comeback in impressive style, they held on to the advantage given to them in the opening half-hour by Jonathan Douglas and Alan Mahon.

Douglas put Blackburn ahead after just seven minutes when he won possession just beyond the half-way line, and after a strong run and a neat one-two with Ciccio Grabbi, calmly shot past Ian Bennett.

Douglas then released Matt Jansen, who was denied by Bennett's fine save, but Blackburn doubled their lead following another incisive move.

This time, Bjornebye and Jansen combined for skipper and Rovers' best player, Mahon, to sweep a low shot beyond the City keeper.

Birmingham saw plenty of the ball in the first-half but their sole threat came from free-kicks.

Striker Jovan Kirovski, whose impressive CV includes spells with Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon and Crystal Palace, found his range instantly.

But the United States international couldn't find a way past Ryan Robinson, who twice made excellent saves.

Bennett was also forced into a full-length stop as Jansen almost added another spectacular effort to his collection at the start of the second-half.

However, Todd's fine pass to Jansen, who showed further encouraging signs of a return to full fitness and form, was to be his last constructive contribution.

Following Todd's departure, Blackburn were forced to re-shuffle their back-four with Sebastian Pelzer coming on in place of Grabbi.

Bjornebye switched inside to the centre of the defence, and although Craig Fagan pulled a goal back 14 minutes from time, the nearest City came to a leveller was a Kirovski effort which curled just wide.

"All in all, it was a good win," said Rovers boss Murray. "Especially after losing Andy Todd for most of the second-half.

"He threw the ball back to their lad, but being on one yellow card he has to be careful. But we coped well. Stig Bjornebye did well in both positions and we were fairly comfortable."

Blackburn: Robinson, Douglas, Bjornebye, Danns, Greer, Todd, Gillespie, Grabbi (Pelzer 61), Jansen, Mahon, Morgan.

Rovers Reserves... 2 Birmingham Res... 1