Birmingham where dumped out of the Carling Cup 3-0 at Blackburn in a performance which would not have pleased boss Steve Bruce.

Three second half goals did not flatter Blackburn against a Blues outfit who, on the admission of Bruce, were "second best" throughout the night.

The game was also tarnished by Birmingham's goalkeeper Richard Kingston being taken to hospital after a collision with Rovers Chris Samba and the post.

The two teams meet again in the League on Sunday week when the Blues chief will be looking for an improved performance.

"It was pretty evident a few player's needed the game tonight; at least five of them.

"We were second best tonight. No complaints the better team won.

"I had to take a view that I had a team who ran a million miles against Liverpool on Saturday. We have Manchester United coming up on Saturday so I thought it was the most sensible thing to do.

"We still had a strong team with virtually the same defence which held Liverpool."