BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes had some sympathy for his opposite number Steve Bruce after Rovers' 2-0 win against Birmingham hinged on a controversial penalty decision.

The game was delicately poised at 0-0 when referee, Barry Knight, awarded Rovers a penalty following a tangle between Paul Dickov and Matthew Upson in the 48th minute, which Dickov then duly converted.

A furious Bruce later claimed it was the 'worst decision he could ever recall' and he angrily accused Dickov of making a meal of the incident.

Hughes also admitted it was a generous award, but the Rovers boss felt his side deserved their slice of good fortune given what had happened to them at Liverpool the previous week, when Zurab Khizanishvili was wrongly sent off in the first half.

"At the time, I know Steve wasn't too happy with the decision but these things even themselves out," he said.

"Last week, a decision went against us that hurt us and maybe that happened again today (to Birmingham), I don't know.

"But if it is a break for us then we are grateful for it because once we got our noses in front that settled us down and our general play improved as a consequence of that."

Earlier, Dickov had missed the game's best chance when he failed to beat Maik Taylor when left one-on-one with the Birmingham keeper.

However, the former Leicester striker then redeemed himself when he stepped up to score his first goal of the season from the spot to set Rovers on their way to a third home win in the Premiership.

"Paul will always give you that character," said Hughes.

"He'll stand up and be counted and he doesn't shy away from anything, be it responsibility or attitude to the game, so I was delighted for him.

"It was important we got the points on the board today.

"We've got a big game coming up against Chelsea, which is always a big test for us, and we didn't want to go into that having not taken this opportunity, so to get the three points is very pleasing."

"The first half was very flat. There were too many breaks in the play and not enough momentum in the general game, and in our play as well.

"In the second half, I thought we were much better and, once we got our noses in front, I felt we had enough to see the game out.

"At 1-0, you do worry that they might get a break at the other end.

"But I always felt we had the ability to go again if that happened and certainly when Craig Bellamy came on, he gave us another option and it ended up going the other way.

"So it was a good day at the office."

Hughes was also full of praise for Robbie Savage, who turned in a disciplined performance against his former club.

He added: "I thought Robbie showed a lot of discipline. He was very focused and very disciplined, and I was pleased for him."