Captain Todd Cantwell’s strike secured three vital points for Blackburn in their quest for Sky Bet Championship survival as they edged past Birmingham 1-0 at St Andrew’s on Good Friday.
Cantwell scored the only goal in the 69th minute when he fired past Blues goalkeeper James Beadle after good work from team-mate Ryoya Morishita, his effort enough to claim victory and pull Rovers six points clear of the relegation zone.
Birmingham, who had lost only twice at home this season before this meeting, have now suffered five defeats in seven games and their own once promising campaign is very much at risk of fizzling out.
The hosts did, however, begin quite brightly and forwards Jay Stansfield and Marvin Ducksch almost combined to great effect when the former found the head of the latter, but Ducksch's effort was comfortably held by Balazs Toth in the visiting goal.
Blackburn, in need of points to ensure they retain their Championship status come the beginning of May, began to warm to the task thereafter. Paik Seung-ho was culpable of surrendering possession in his own half and Cantwell went close with a low drive. Minutes later, Tom Atcheson met Cantwell's corner and nodded wide with Birmingham goalkeeper Beadle at full stretch.
In what was a goalless but nevertheless entertaining first half, the chances continued to fall in both boxes and offensive players on both sides were guilty of not making more of the opportunities presented to them.
Minutes after Ducksch had skimmed the net with a direct free-kick from 25 yards, Birmingham were thankful for their keeper at the other end when Beadle made a crucial double save; he first parried Cantwell's strike and then reacted instantly to deny Harry Pickering's follow-up attempt.
The Blues, however, almost ended the first period ahead. Patrick Roberts skilfully evaded Sean McLoughlin and pulled the ball back for Ibrahim Osman, who ought to have scored but could only find the foot of the post. Paik, minutes later, rifled a shot which Toth had to push over the bar.
Birmingham went close again shortly after the restart. Tomoki Iwata sold a dummy to Cantwell but curled his eventual effort, with his weaker foot, wide of the far post.
The hosts almost played themselves into trouble, though, when Blackburn's high press nearly paid dividends. Adam Forshaw pickpocketed Paik deep inside his own half, but the South Korean redeemed himself when he threw himself in front of the strike as Ohashi bore down on goal.
Japanese forward Ohashi went close again on the hour mark, when he aimed a snap-shot towards goal after Cantwell's initial effort had been blocked, but Beadle again came to his side's aid and produced a firm hand down to his right to keep Rovers at bay.
He could not, however, keep Cantwell out with 20 minutes remaining. Morishita collected the ball from Ryan Alebiosu after Birmingham had conceded possession in midfield and he played in Cantwell, who under pressure from Christoph Klarer fired a first-time strike across Beadle to give the visitors a precious lead.
Birmingham failed to forge a reply. Tommy Doyle might have produced a better finish when he was deftly played in by August Priske, but Rovers goalkeeper Toth was quick off of his line to keep his team's lead intact and help to seal three vital points in the battle against the drop.
Birmingham's Chris Davies:
"It's another game where we haven't done enough to win it. Offensively, we're not playing with real confidence and rhythm in our game. Defensively we looked vulnerable. When you're not firing, you have to be defensively super solid, especially in the last 20 minutes of a home game. It's a very painful defeat. There wasn't a lot in the match, it was a typical Championship match but over the piece we haven't shown enough quality.
"They defended in numbers, we couldn't find the spaces. Half a yard here and half a yard there, it's a different story but that is football for you. The players are trying.
"The fans here have been generally fantastic for me. The frustration they show and feel is exactly the same as how I feel. It's horrible to lose at home. It's my job to keep us together, there is no need for us to be fractured.
"It's my responsibility - I pick the team, prepare the team and ultimately it comes down to me. I thank the fans, they tried to get us going, but we haven't done enough to give them something to cheer about."
Blackburn's Michael O'Neill:
"I'm exhausted! We put everything into the game. We said to the players about the attitude through the game… we had to show we wanted it more than the opposition. It's a moment of quality from Todd to win the game and a massive three points for us.
"It's a better position than we were in before the start of the game. I don't think we'll make statements at this time, but the most important thing is to get to 50 points and above.
"There was an opportunity to come out of here today with 46 points and that's what we've managed to do. They should be immensely proud of their efforts. We go into a home game against West Brom on Monday in a good place. Our away form has been good and we have to take this into the game at Ewood."
