A Barry Ferguson goal earned Blues a 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in their FA Cup third round replay at St. Andrew's on Tuesday evening.

Ferguson's winner came just after the hour mark following a neat one-two between the Scotsman and teammate Christian Benitez.

Blues now face a stern test against Everton away on Sunday week in the fourth round of the FA Cup (sponsored by E.ON).

In a statement of intent Alex McLeish named an unchanged XI from side which came so close to toppling Manchester United in Blues' last outing at the weekend.

Meanwhile Forest boss Billy Davies made no less than seven changes to his side, which had comfortably beaten West Brom last Friday.

Prior to kick off new Spanish signing Michel was introduced to the crowd and received a rapturous round of applause from those supporters who could still feel their fingers on a freezing night at St. Andrew's.

Within the first minute of the game it was the visitors who fashioned the first chance when Nathan Tyson headed the ball agonisingly wide of Joe Hart's post from ten yards out.

Blues were struggling to impose themselves on the game in the early stages and it was Forest who were looking the more dangerous side in attack.

On 13 minutes they created the next opportunity as Hart was forced to jump at full stretch to prevent Luke Chambers' chipped effort sailing over him and into the net.

It took until 26 minutes for Blues' first sight on goal.

James McFadden broke forward on a mazy run before sliding the ball to Seb Larsson who was free on the right side of the area.

Unfortunately the Swede's shot lacked direction and it flew a yard wide.

Then just after the half hour mark Christian Benitez was found by Barry Ferguson deep in the Forest box.

The Ecuadorian turned on the spot before firing a low shot past Lee Camp's far post.

This was immediately followed by a curling 20 yard effort from James McFadden, but again it was narrowly off target.

With six minutes to go to the break Joe Hart pulled off another of his trademark supersaves as he denied David McGoldrick from close range as the Forest man looked odds on to score with just the Blues stopper to beat.

Hart then made another fine save low down when Tyson let go with a powerful low drive.

In the last minute of the half Lee Bowyer was cautioned for a clumsy challenge.

Half time: Blues 0 Forest 0
Once again it was Forest who came out of traps at pace and within two minutes of the restart former Blues striker Dele Adebola found space in the Blues area, but he failed to keep his header on target with Hart scrambling to reach the ball.

Blues were awarded a free kick 25 yards in front of the Forest goal, but James McFadden stepped up and curled it over the bar.

Whether it was the bitterly cold weather or the lack of time being given to them on the ball by the Championship visitors, Blues were guilty of making far too many errors with plenty of passes going astray.

On 56 minutes Cameron Jerome brought the ball down brilliantly, but instead of squaring the ball back to an unmarked Benitez he picked the wrong option and attempted to lob Camp in the Forest goal, but his effort lacked height and was easily saved.

On 59 minutes Forest were awarded a free kick in dangerous position just half a yard outside the Blues box.

Although McGugan struck it well it went straight at Hart who saved it easily

Somewhat against the run of play Blues took the lead on 62 minutes through Barry Ferguson.

A classy one-two involving the midfielder and Benitez saw the Scotsman fire home from close range.

A minute later Alex McLeish made his first change of the game when Keith Fahey came on for Lee Bowyer.

Then two minutes later Kevin Phillips was given a start up front in place of Chucho.

Blues came close to doubling their advantage on 75 minutes, but Camp produced a great save to deny Roger Johnson's headed effort.

Damien Johnson became the third Blues substitution of the evening when he replaced James McFadden.

With Forest desperately pushing forward in search of an equaliser, they were almost caught cold as Blues broke at pace through Seb Larsson.

Larsson ran half the length of the pitch with the ball before releasing a neat pass to Jerome.

The Blues frontman curled it round the advancing Camp, but Chambers was on hand to clear it away from in front of an empty net.

As the game entered the last minute of injury time Blues broke again and the lively Phillips was unfortunate not to score following a superb piece of play that he himself started and finished.

Full time: Blues 1 Nottingham Forest 0

Blues: Joe Hart, Stephen Carr, Lee Bowyer (Keith Fahey, 63), Liam Ridgewell, Seb Larsson, Cameron Jerome, Chucho (Kevin Phillips, 68), Barry Ferguson, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann, James McFadden (Damien Johnson, 76).
Subs not used: Maik Taylor, Martin Taylor, Gary McSheffrey, Franck Queudrue, Damien Johnson.

Bookings Bowyer (45 + 1),
Goals: Ferguson (62)

Nottingham Forest: Lee Camp, James Perch, Luke Chambers, Wes Morgan, Lewis McGugan, Dele Adebola, Nathan Tyson, Gareth McCleary ( Paul Anderson, 81), Chris Cohen, David McGoldrick (Joe Garner, 67), Guy Moussi (Chris Gunter 73).
Subs not used: Paul Smith, Paul Anderson, Joe Garner, Radoslaw Majewski, Joel Lynch, Brendan Moloney.

Bookings: David McGoldrick (66)

Attendance: 9,399 (1,707 away supporters)

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)