BOSS Mark Hughes was a delighted man after Rovers safely avoided any hint of an upset against MyPa at Ewood Park on Thursday.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Hughes was able to rest several first team players, but the squad he selected was still to strong for the Finnish outfit who gave their all but were no match as the home side ran out 2-0 winners.
After a frustrating first half in front of goal, David Bentley gave Rovers the lead with an emphatic volley three minutes after the restart, the game being wrapped up in injury time courtesy of Jason Roberts' cheeky back flick.
"The job was done, the goal from David, a great goal that it was, basically finished the game from MyPa's point of view and we're delighted that we're through," said Hughes on Radio Rovers after the game.
"It was difficult tonight, in fairness to them they never let their energy levels drop, they got lots of people behind the ball and made it difficult for us to create space in behind them and they should be commended for that.
"But I felt we were always in control of both legs of the tie and it was only a matter of time before we got the goal that really clinched it."
Rovers laid siege to the MyPa goal from the off, but against 'keeper Janne Korhonen, they found no way through in the first half, the MyPa captain pulling off a string of fine saves, which impressed Hughes.
"Certainly in the first half he made a couple of outstanding stops, credit to them I thought they came and tried to make difficult which on occasions it was, but we tried to keep the ball moving.
"I thought our delivery in the second half was a little bit better, it was more varied and it was causing them more problems. It was from of those deliveries that David scored an excellent goal.
"On first half chances we created a number of decent opportunities and maybe on another day they would have gone in. But I always felt it was only a matter before the first one went in. I felt once the first one went in there would be more to come, but as it was we had to wait until the last minute.
"But as I said, the tie was never in doubt and we're delighted that we are in the first round proper, we are in the hat tomorrow and we'll be looking on with interest."
