Craig Gardner was the goalscoring hero for Blues as Alex McLeish's side came from behind to beat Blackburn 2-1 at St. Andrew's this afternoon.

Sam Allardyce's Rovers took a 54th minute lead courtesy of Steven Nzonzi, before Gardner struck twice to earn his side all three points.

The first of his goals came from close range, but second was a gem of a shot from 25 yards.

But Blues also had to thank keeper Ben Foster who saved a second half penalty from Morten Gamst Pedersen, as well as producing a string of fine saves.

McLeish made three changes to the side that grabbed a point at Sunderland last weekend.

Nikola Zigic started his first league game for Blues alongside Cameron Jerome, with Garry O'Connor dropping to the subs' bench.

There were two further changes in midfield with James McFadden returning in place of Keith Fahey and Lee Bowyer making way for Craig Gardner.

Midweek signing Matt Derbyshire had to be content with a place on the bench.

The game started at a fair old pace with both sides intent on breaking forward at the earliest opportunity.

But the first real chance of note came on ten minutes following Blackburn a corner.

Morten Gamst Pedersen sent the ball deep into the Blues box, but Roger Johnson headed it away where it fell to El-Hadji Diouf who let go with a fierce drive from 25 yards that flew narrowly over Ben Foster's bar.

Blues were given a major scare on 22 when Zigic came close to heading the ball into his own net.

Pedersen sent in a free kick and which Zigic got his head to, but he was only able to direct it towards Foster's goal. Fortunately the Blues keeper was on hand to push it away for a corner.

Midway through the first half Blues were struggling to find any real rhythm and there were too many passes going astray.

That was until the 29th minute when Scott Dann went close to breaking the deadlock.

Seb Larsson whipped in a corner to the far post, where Dann rose above his marker and directed a powerful effort towards the top corner.

But former England keeper Paul Robinson was equal to it and produced a wonderful save to tip the ball over.

As the half went on it Blackburn were looking the greater attacking threat and Roger Johnson had to be alert to take the ball off Nikola Kalinic's feet as the Rovers frontman broke through on Foster's goal right on the stroke of half time.

Half time: Blues 0 Blackburn 0

Blues came out of the blocks fired up and immediately put the visitors under pressure.

The Rovers defence were alert to head Gardner's cross away as it was about to be met by Zigic and then Gardner himself had a strike on goal that flew several yards wide.

Disaster almost struck on 49 minutes when Blackburn were awarded a penalty.

Blues could have had no complaints as Zigic clearly pulled Chris Samba back by his shirt and referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and booking Zigic.

Pederson stepped up and hit a fierce drive which looked to be heading into the top corner, but Foster somehow threw his body across the goal and managed to tip it onto the bar.

Minutes later he produced another brilliant save to deny Steven Nzonzi and tip the ball over for a corner.

Unfortunately his hard work was underdone as Blues failed to defend the resultant deadball from the resultant deadball and Nzonzi headed home from close range at the near post..

But McLeish's men showed their never-say-die attitude when they pulled the scores level three minutes later courtesy of Gardner.

Carr sent the ball forward into the opposition box and James McFadden brilliantly sent it into the path of Gardner to fire home from close range and send the majority of St. Andrew's into raptures.

Blues were then lucky not to find themselves behind again.

Foster conjured up another fine diving save to deny Nikola Kalinic and then Kalinic saw a headed effort come back off the post after he was left in too much space in the box.

New signing Matt Derbyshire was given his debut in the 67th minute when he came on for Nikola Zigic.

St. Andrew's erupted on 71 minutes when Gardner fired Blues into the lead with a stunning 25 yard strike that flew across the front of Robinson and into the back corner of the net.

Derbyshire almost opened his account minutes into his debut after Blues broke quickly, but as the former Blackburn man went to unleash his shot on goal, he saw his effort blocked away.

With six minutes of normal time remaining two goal hero Gardner was substituted to the sounds of fervent applause to be replaced by Keith Fahey.

As the game entered its final bow the visitors pushed forward in desperate search of an equaliser, but the Blues defence held firm for teh victory.

Full time: Blues 2 Blackburn 1

Blues: Ben Foster, Stephen Carr, Roger Johnson, Liam Ridgewell, Scott Dann, Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner (Keith Fahey, 84), Barry Ferguson, Cameron Jerome, James McFadden (Lee Bowyer, 78), Nikola Zigic (Matt Derbyshire, 67).
Subs not used: Maik Taylor, David Murphy, Michel, Garry O'Connor.

Bookings: Zigic (49), Larsson (90+3)

Goals: Gardner (57, 71)

Blackburn: Paul Robinson, Martin Olsson, Chris samba, Gael Givet (Mame Biram Diouf, 73), Ryan Nelsen, Nikola Kalinic (Junior Hoilett, 85), El-Hadji Diouf, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Steven Nzonzi, Michel Salgado, Phil Jones (Brett Emerton, 64).
Subs not used: Mark Bunn, Lars Jacobsen, Alan Judge, Josh Morris,

Bookings Nzonzi (68), Mame Biram Diouf (79), Nelsen (85)

Goals: Nzonzi (54)

Attendance: 21,394 (away fans 1,146)

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