Blackburn into last eight

The striker headed Rovers in front with 65 minutes gone after replacing teenager Andy Howarth and then saw Phil Bardsley put through his own goal five minutes later.

Kenwyne Jones gave the home side hope with his first goal of the season seconds later, but the visitors saw the game out to condemn the Wearsiders to a fourth successive defeat in front of a crowd of just 18,555.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane signalled his intent from the moment he handed in his teamsheet, with Jones joining 18-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson in a strong side. Opposite number Paul Ince had chosen to make seven changes to his team, but that did not include first-choice keeper Paul Robinson, and the decision was justified.

Having already seen veteran midfielder Tugay block a goalbound Kieran Richardson shot, the England keeper tipped Danny Collins' header over on the half-hour to keep his side level.

Rovers midfielder Keith Treacy saw an 18th-minute volley dip just wide of Marton Fulop's right post, and the same man was aggrieved not only not to be awarded a 26th-minute penalty for Bardsley's challenge, but to be booked into the bargain.

Sunderland resumed in determined fashion with Jones sending a 48th-minute downward header just wide of Robinson's left post with the keeper scrambling across his line.

Ince knew his side was in need of greater firepower, and he made his move with 27 minutes remaining when he withdrew debutant Andy Howarth and sent on the fit-again Santa Cruz. It took the Paraguayan little time to make his mark, running on to Christopher Samba's flick from Martin Olsson's cross to head past the helpless Fulop.

It was 2-0 within five minutes when Fulop pushed Matt Derbyshire's cross on to Bardsley, who could do nothing as the ball cannoned off him and nestled in his own net.

Keane immediately withdrew Steed Malbranque to send on Andy Reid, and his side were back in the game within seconds when Jones fired left-footed past Robinson to give them hope.