Benni McCarthy struck with a header late in extra-time as Blackburn saw off Sunderland to seal a fifth-round FA Cup tie against Coventry.
Zurab Khizanishvili hit the post for Rovers before David Healy put Sunderland ahead with a tidy finish.
Black Cats keeper Craig Gordon made several top saves but could not stop Aaron Mokoena’s 25-yard strike.
Roque Santa Cruz failed to convert two headed chances but McCarthy made no mistake from Carlos Villaneuva’s cross.
It was a game in which both teams had plenty of chances to win the tie before the South African striker struck from inside the six-yard box.
But Rovers boss Sam Allardyce and Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia had both suggested with their team selections that their priorities lie elsewhere this season.
Allardyce made eight changes from the team that drew with Middlesbrough and Sbragia six from the side that played Newcastle on Sunday.
why oh why cant big sam see that without bentley we need someone on the right side, and villuneuva clearly showed his class tonight, am i the only one who see’s it??
its nice to see both south african players scoring for blackburn rovers.thanks for making south africa proud.2010 world cup here we come…………