BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer praised his players for responding positively to his half-time dressing down in last night’s 1-0 home win over 10-man and managerless Birmingham City.

Bowyer made it clear before clear kick-off that he wanted Rovers to take the game to a Blues side still reeling from the loss of boss Lee Clark straight from the first whistle.

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Instead they produced a lethargic first-half performance devoid of tempo and creative incision.

But, fired up by a ‘few choice words’ from their manager, they were a different proposition after the break.

Ben Marshall, fresh from his last-gasp equaliser at Ipswich Town on Saturday, scored what proved to be the winner six minutes into the second half.

But after Birmingham had right back Neal Eardley sent off for two yellow cards in the nine minutes following Marshall’s fine finish, Rovers, who were watched by former boss Mark Hughes, wasted a host of chances to make their first victory in five matches more emphatic.

And it nearly came back to haunt them when Blues substitute Andrew Shinnie crashed an injury-time shot off the bar.

Bowyer said: “We had a few choice words as I thought the first half was too testimonial, a bit five-a-side, a bit nice and tippy-tappy, and just not at the tempo we play at.

“We demanded more from them and we got an unbelievable response from them so credit to them for that.

“Second half I thought we were excellent and we created an unbelievable amount of chances.

“We have to be more clinical and that was the message at the end.

“We knew on Saturday when we were down to 10 men that while it was 1-0 we would get an opportunity and fortunately for us we did through Ben Marshall.

“So we were always wary of that tonight and when all of those chances were being missed, being saved and cleared off the line, you always have it in the back of your mind that there’s something round the corner for Birmingham and there was, with their unbelievable effort that hit the bar.

“We were lucky with that but I think we should have been well out of sight by then.”

Marshall’s fifth goal of the season moved him level with Rudy Gestede at the top of the Rovers’ scoring charts.

The man-of-the-moment ran Birmingham ragged after the restart.

But only after he, too, was given a pep talk at the interval.

Bowyer said: “Marshy kept coming inside and playing in front of their midfield, so we said to him to stay out wide, and start running at people and doing what he’s good at, as he can go both ways and he’s got fantastic technical ability with both feet.

“It was an excellent goal. He’s in fantastic form and it was a great finish from him.”