A Blues side showing wholesale changes failed to reach the last sixteen of the Carling Cup as they were dumped out of the competition by Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park this evening.

A tame first half was marred by a potentially serious injury to Blues keeper Richard Kingson who collided with an upright just before the interval.

David Bentley gave Rovers the lead just after the hour with a fine strike and Matt Derbyshire extended Rovers lead with a contentious penalty.

Blues fought hard, but could find no way back into the contest and were finally put out of the competition by Santa Cruz's late header.

Steve Bruce fielded a side that contained none of the players who had performed magnificently at Anfield last weekend, no doubt with one eye on the visit of Champions Manchester United to St Andrews on Saturday in mind.

Three former Rovers players made the starting line-up, with a return to Ewood Park for Martin Taylor, Neil Danns and Damian Johnson, who was making a welcome return to first team action after injury.

Dutchman Daniel De Ridder was Blues' only debutant.

The hosts Blackburn also made changes, fielding a strong side, including former Blues man David Dunn in their line up.

There was a sparse crowd to see the Premier League rivals clash, as Blues faced Rovers in a prelude to the League meeting in eleven days time.

It was the hosts who kicked off, and Blues were immediately under pressure as Referee Mike Riley awarded a free kick to Rovers on the edge of the box.

Bentley took the kick and curled it narrowly wide of Kingson's left hand upright.

From a fifth minute corner, Ooijer rose highest to head goalwards, but Damian Johnson cleared off his own goal line.

Kingson was again called into action soon after as Bentley crossed from the right and Roberts connected only six yards out. Kingson reacted superbly to turn the ball away - a truly magnificent save.

Blues responded with O'Connor heading De Ridder's corner just wide.

Blues were again under pressure as the ten-minute mark approached, with a succession of Rovers corners.

From the third of these, Dunn tried a curling shot which Kingson gathered easily.

There was another let off for Blues on the quarter hour, as Derbyshire whipped in a teasing cross which narrowly eluded Bentley and Roberts in the middle, with the merest of touches needed to put Blues one behind.

Rovers pressed forward again as Bentley chipped the ball to the far post, where Derbyshire headed against Blues crossbar, although the England U21 star was flagged offside.

Moments later, David Dunn tested Kingson with a low drive which the keeper did well to palm to safety.

The keeper was less sure of himself as he flapped at Bentley's centre, missing it completely and Samba headed over the empty net.

Blues had offered little going forward, but almost stole the lead on the half hour.

O'Connor and Forssell worked the opening just inside Rovers box, and Forssell forced Friedel into a super save low to his left as the ball arrowed towards the corner of the net.

At the other end, Roberts fired wildly over as Rovers broke clear.

The game needed a goal to spark it into life, and De Ridder was next to try his luck after his corner was only partially cleared, but Friedel gathered easily. Rovers should have taken the lead in the 37th minute, as Bentley's through ball sent Derbyshire away. Kingson did well to block the striker's shot at the expense of a corner.

With five minutes to the interval, Jaidi became the first player in Mike Riley's notebook for hauling back Jason Roberts.

From the free kick, Bentley tried his luck from distance, and Blues keeper collided with the upright in an attempt to get to the ball.

Kingson received lengthy treatment.

After initially getting to his feet, Kingson collapsed as he walked to the edge of his six yard box and the medical staff were immediately on hand to stretcher the Blues keeper off.

Steve Bruce sent on Colin Doyle to replace Kingson.

As play resumed after the stoppage, Doyle's first task was almost to pick the ball out of his net, as David Dunn ended a trademark run with a side foot shot, which went inches wide of the post, with Doyle beaten.

Half Time: Blackburn Rovers 0 Birmingham City 0

There were no further changes as the teams took the field for the second period, with Blues attacking the small band of travelling supporters.

Jaidi was penalised for a foul on Derbyshire on the edge of the area within the first 30 seconds of the second period.

From the free kick, Dunn shot goalwards and referee Riley waved away frantic Rovers appeals for handball inside a crowded Blues area.

Five minutes into the second half, Dunn's delightful through ball exposed Blues defence and Roberts gave Jaidi the slip before bearing down on goal.

With only Doyle to beat, Roberts side footed the ball wide of the post when it seemed easier to score, a real let-off for Blues.

Roberts apparently injured himself in the attempt, and was replaced by Santa Cruz.

Blues made their second substitution moments later, with Schmitz replacing Jaidi.

Just before the hour, Mokoena shot from 30 yards and the shot was too hot for Doyle to hold.

The rebound fell to Derbyshire who cannoned a shot back off the bar from no more than eight yards. Blues were indebted to Martin Taylor soon after as he denied Ooijer with a superbly timed last gasp tackle.

Blues were being forced backwards by the home side, but repeated Saturday's heroics by defending resolutely.

The game burst into life on 65 minutes, as David Bentley gave the home side a deserved lead. Picking the ball up 35 yards from goal, the England international unleashed a ferocious shot, which sailed beyond Doyle into the corner of the net, with the young Irishman powerless to stop it.

Blues responded positively, as Danns tested Friedel from just outside the area, with Steve Bruce's men seeking a quick reply, whilst Dunn tried a speculative effort at the other end, which went harmlessly wide.

Again Blues pressed and O'Connor and Forssell combined well to set up Vine, whose shot was deflected for a corner.

Blues then produced their best moment of the seconds half as Vine and De Ridder cut Rovers defence apart and Forssell was just short of applying the finishing touch six yards out.

With just less than quarter of an hour remaining, Doyle kept Blues in the game with a fine save at the feet of Dunn.

Rovers then made another substitution with Olsson replaced by Warnock.

Within a minute of the change, Rovers were awarded a harsh penalty as Schmitz seemed unable to get out of Derbyshire's way in the penalty area, and Mike Riley pointed to the spot.

It was Derbyshire himself who took the kick, coolly dispatching the ball to Doyle's right into the bottom corner of the net.

Steve Bruce responded to the goal by sending on Palacios for De Ridder with less than 10 remaining.

Rovers then took off goalscorer Derbyshire, replacing him with Maceo Rigters.

Damian Johnson almost reduced the arrears for Blues with a fine run and shot with five minutes remaining as Blues fought to find an unlikely route back into the contest, but there was to be no way back for Blues as they exited the competition

Roque Santa Cruz added a late third for Rovers with a header from Emerton's deflected cross to complete Blues misery. Blues will hope for better fortune when they return to East Lancashire in eleven days time for a Premiership encounter.

Full Time: Blackburn Rovers 3 Birmingham City 0

Blues: Kingson (Doyle 42), Parnaby, Jaidi (Schmitz 56), Taylor, Sadler, De Ridder, Johnson, De Ridder (Palacios 81), Danns, Vine, Forssell, O'Connor. Subs (not used): Pearce, Howland.

Bookings: Jaidi 40
Goals: None

Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Samba, Olsson (Warnock 78), Bentley, Mokoena, Tugay, Dunn, Roberts (Santa Cruz 53), Derbyshire (Rigters 83).
Subs (not used): Brown, Kizanishvili

Bookings:

Goals: Bentley 65, Derbyshire (pen) 80, Santa Cruz 89

Attendance: 9,205