Blackburn Rovers picked up a huge three points to move out of the bottom three with victory over Hull City at the KC Stadium.

Two goals from Rovers in quick succession livened up what had been a drab opening period, Stephen Warnock lashed home after Roque Santa Cruz had robbed Hull 'keeper Matt Duke on 34 minutes, then 90 seconds later Warnock turned provider as he laid the ball square for Keith Andrews to fire home from close-range.

Rovers were comfortable in the second half, but when both sides were reduced to ten men, the game livened up.

Firstly Dean Marney was given a straight red for kicking out at Morten Gamst Pedersen, but the Rovers midfielder was also booked for his part in the incident and that proved pivotal as just seven minutes later was soon to collect a second card to make the same walk down the tunnel.

Jason Brown, who had to deputise for Rovers in the second half after an injury to Paul Robinson on the stroke half time, had little to do until Ian Ashbee's 79th minute strike had reduced arrears. But in the 94th minute the 'keeper pulled off a fine save to deny Dawson as Rovers claimed a vital three points and their third away win of the campaign.

Following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Coventry City, only defender Chris Samba remained in the starting eleven for the vital match against Hull.

Vince Grella had recovered from the groin injury sustained against Manchester United, but David Dunn didn't, his place in midfield was taken by Stephen Warnock, Gaël Givet getting the left-back spot.

With the game taking on further importance after Middlesbrough's surprise win over Liverpool on Saturday, chances were few and far between early on, El-Hadji Diouf saw a header claimed by Hull 'keeper Matt Duke, whilst a poor touch from Geovanni thwarted Hull's best opportunity in the opening quarter hour.

Paul Robinson was alert to push headers from Turner and Mendy over the bar, but there was little attacking play of note until the 34th minute when suddenly the game sprang into life.

Persistence from Morten Gamst Pedersen saw him take the ball to the edge of the area, but his deflected shot seemed to be heading into the arms of Duke. However Roque Santa Cruz didn't think it a hopeless cause as he closed down the Hull goalkeeper, and as the ball was spilled he took full advantage in slipping the ball back to Stephen Warnock who clipped the ball into the back of the empty net.

There's a saying that says you are at your most vulnerable immediately after scoring a goal, but that proved to be Hull's case rather than Rovers'.

Quick closing down saw the ball worked down the left, Pedersen found Stephen Warnock charging into the area and in an instant he'd squared the ball for the fast arriving Keith Andrews who lashed the ball into the back of the net.

Hull were shell shocked and Rovers could have scored further goals in an exciting end to the first period, the lively Diouf seeing an effort block.

On the stroke of half-time Paul Robinson was on the end of a robust challenge from Hull defender Michael Turner, the Rovers number received treatment and played on, but had to be helped off by the physio Dave Fevre and club doctor Phil Batty at the break.

Robinson didn't reappear at the start of the second half, Jason Brown deputising in goal.

But Brown watched on as Rovers continued to force the pace, Vince Grella going close to grabbing his first goal in a Rovers shirt with a fierce effort from the edge of the area that Duke did well to beat away, Diouf couldn't take full advantage, putting the rebound over the bar.

Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen put in another impressive defensive display at the back, winning everything that came his way, but one header he perhaps should have got on the end of was from a free-kick from El-Hadji Diouf, but Nelsen just couldn't connect.

More composed play from Rovers deserved more, a flowing move involving Andrews and Pedersen saw Diouf head back to Santa Cruz but his header bounced agonisingly wide.

However two minutes later Hull's chance of a comeback seemed to disappear when midfielder Dean Marney foolishly kicked out at Morten Gamst Pedersen after a challenge and received his marching orders, the Rovers man also received a yellow card that was perhaps a little harsh.

But Rovers didn't have long to take advantage of the extra man as just seven minutes later Pedersen followed Marney down the tunnel. When attempting to block Doyle's clearance he caught his swinging leg and was shown a second yellow card of the game.

That livened up the home support who had been less than impressed with the Tiger's showing, particularly when they voiced their disapproval at the substitution of star Geovanni.

Everyone connected with Rovers had hoped for an incident free final ten minutes of the game, but that isn't their style. Hesitant marking from a Dawson corner from the right saw the ball arrive at the feet of Ian Ashbee and he swept the ball through a host of legs and into the back of the net.

That set up a nervy final few minutes to Rovers, including five minutes of added time, but thankfully there were few moments to test the nerves, and when Jason Brown denied a speculative effort from Andy Dawson, Rovers knew they were home and dry, and, perhaps more importantly out of the bottom three for the time being.

HULL CITY: Duke, Doyle (sub Fagan 67 mins), Dawson, Ashbee (c), Turner, Geovanni (sub Barmby 53 mins), Garcia, Mendy, Kilbane (sub Cousin 53 mins), Marney, Zayatte.

Subs not used: Myhill (GK), Halmosi, Manucho, Gardner.

ROVERS: Robinson (sub Brown 46 mins), Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen (c), Givet, Diouf (sub Mokoena 83 mins), Andrews, Grella, Warnock, Pedersen, Santa Cruz (sub Roberts 86 mins).

Subs not used: Tugay, McCarthy, Villanueva, Treacy.

Booked: Turner, Dawson (Hull) Warnock, Pedersen, Diouf (Rovers).

Off: Marney (Hull), Pedersen (Rovers).

Attendance: 24,612