Captain Todd Cantwell’s strike secured three vital points for Blackburn in their quest for Sky Bet Championship survival as they edged past Birmingham 1-0 at St Andrew’s on Good Friday.

Cantwell scored the only goal in the 69th minute when he fired past Blues goalkeeper James Beadle after good work from team-mate Ryoya Morishita, his effort enough to claim victory and pull Rovers six points clear of the relegation zone.

Birmingham, who had lost only twice at home this season before this meeting, have now suffered five defeats in seven games and their own once promising campaign is very much at risk of fizzling out.

The hosts did, however, begin quite brightly and forwards Jay Stansfield and Marvin Ducksch almost combined to great effect when the former found the head of the latter, but Ducksch's effort was comfortably held by Balazs Toth in the visiting goal.

Blackburn, in need of points to ensure they retain their Championship status come the beginning of May, began to warm to the task thereafter. Paik Seung-ho was culpable of surrendering possession in his own half and Cantwell went close with a low drive. Minutes later, Tom Atcheson met Cantwell's corner and nodded wide with Birmingham...