BLACKBURN Rovers have crashed out of the Carling Cup after losing to Championship side Cardiff City - a result that puts even more pressure on under-fire boss Steve Kean.

Kenny Miller sent the Welsh club on their way in tonight's quarter-final clash with an 19th minute opener, and Anthony Gerrard doubled Cardiff's lead three minutes into the second-half.

Rovers were on the back foot when Miller opened the scoring for the Welsh side, the striker collecting a pass from Aron Gunnarsson before firing through Mark Bunn's legs.

Miller went close to doubling Cardiff's lead but was thwarted by Scott Dann's goal-line clearance.

David Dunn almost equalised for Rovers with a spectacular 30-yard volley, but Cardiff keeper Tom Heaton kept out the midfielder's strike.

Gerrard doubled Cardiff's advantage just after the interval, heading into an empty net after Bunn failed to collect a corner.

Kean threw on Jason Roberts and Yakubu to add extra firepower, but Rovers could not find a way back into the match.