BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes was pleased with last night's result - if not the performance.

A poor match was memorable only for two second half penalties.

Brad Friedel saved the first from Sunderland's Dean Whitehead.

Then four minutes later, Benni McCarthy grabbed what transpired to be the winner for Rovers from the spot.

"They were two penalties; they were both correct decisions," said Hughes.

"I had no arguments with the one Chris Samba conceded; it was a penalty.

"And then with the situation at the other end, the guy raised his arms and stopped the ball so, by the letter of the law, that was a clear penalty as well.

"Thankfully, we converted ours and they didn't."

Now Hughes is hoping McCarthy will go on a scoring spree after ending a 10-match run without a goal.

"It was really important for him (to score)," added the Rovers boss.

"The last time we had a penalty, he missed it so he showed good character to grab the ball and knock it in.

"Their keeper made a good attempt at it, he guessed the right way, but Benni's technique and the pace he put on the ball enabled it to go in.

"So we are delighted for him and hopefully that will kick-start a run now, because we'll need him in the next couple of games.

"We lost Roque Santa Cruz at half-time with a groin injury so he won't be available at the weekend.

"But, hopefully, the injury he has won't stop him playing next week.

"Matt Derbyshire also got a heavy bang on the hip and there's going to be a lot of blood in that area in the next couple of days, so he's a doubt for the weekend too.

"And Jason Roberts got injured yesterday (Tuesday) so we are struggling for strikers at the moment."