FRIEDEL: A commanding performance from the big American. His all-round handling was excellent...8

CURTIS: Another tenacious display and he wasn't afraid to get forward whenever possible...8

*BERG: Awesome at the heart of the defence as the Blues tried to bombard the Rovers box...9

SHORT: Didn't give an inch all night against the muscular threat of Geoff Horsfield...9

BJORNEBYE: Never put a foot wrong all night against a tricky opponent in Jon McCarthy...8

FLITCROFT: His battling qualities laid the foundations for another three precious points...9

DUNN: Ran his socks off but found it hard to work his magic as Birmingham often bypassed midfield...8

GILLESPIE: Fully justified his selection with a real workmanlike performance...8

BENT: Fast becoming the man for the big occasion capping another impressive display with a vital goal...8

JANSEN: Always a threat up front as the Birmingham defence struggled to contain Rovers going forward...8

DUFF: What a way to score your first League goal of the season! But his work defensively was equally impressive...8

SUBS:

MAHON: Played his part with a hard-working performance in the last 15 minutes...7

BIRMINGHAM:

BENNETT: Kept the Blues in the game with a couple of smart blocks...7

ATHERTON: A rugged competitor on the right...7

JOHNSON M: Limped off early with an injury...6

PURSE: Deserved to go after raising his arm...5

GRAINGER: Workmanlike down the left...7

MCCARTHY: Got little change out of Bjornebye...6

HUGHES: One of the Blues' brighter sparks...7

WOODHOUSE: A little terrier in midfield...7

EADEN: Supplied a couple of useful crosses...6

JOHNSON A: Always looked a threat with his pace...7

HORSFIELD: Kept pretty quiet by Short...6

SUBS:

HOLDSWORTH: Took time to settle...6

MARCELO: Got no change out of Short and Berg...5

FURLONG: Not on long enough to have any impact...5

STATS:

Attendance:...29,150

Goal attempts:...Rovers 9 Birmingham 14

Shots on target:...Rovers 5 Birmingham 6

Woodwork:...Rovers 0 Birmingham 0

Offsides:...Rovers 9 Birmingham 2

Corners:...Rovers 3 Birmingham 1

Free kicks:...Rovers 16 Birmingham 21

Referee:...Mr U Rennie (Sheffield) 8

Bookings:...Rovers; Short (foul) Birmingham; Horsfield (dissent)

Sendings off:...Purse (violent conduct)

TIME FOR ACTION:

08 Nicky Eaden's left-wing free kick has Brad Friedel backpedalling but the big American tips his effort over at full stretch

20 Marcus Bent picks out Keith Gillespie with a brilliant ball but the Northern Ireland international blazes high and wide from 20 yards

27 Curtis Woodhouse lets fly from the edge of the box but Friedel is equally to it and saves at the second attempt

28 Damien Duff bursts into the box before picking out Bent with a neat lay-off but keeper Ian Bennett makes a brave block

28 Matt Jansen robs Martin Grainger before cutting in from the right but his snapshot whistles just wide

41 Bent fires Rovers ahead after his shot from a Gillespie cross takes a deflection off Peter Atherton

52 Rovers fans are in heaven as Duff jinks past two defenders before coolly slotting home the second

59 Bent nearly makes it three but Bennett saves his header after a slick move involving Jansen and John Curtis

64 Another fine save from Friedel prevents Woodhouse from reducing the deficit after a neat lay-off from Andy Johnson

75 A clever freekick routine creates a shooting chance for Bryan Hughes but he screws his shot wide from 10 yards

90 Darren Purse sees red after elbowing Jansen off the ball