LIAM Lawrence's 75th minute strike dealt a blow to Blackburn Rovers' Premier League survival hopes as they crashed 1-0 to Stoke City.

Rovers battled bravely throughout but were undone by some sloppy play in midfield and rare indecisiveness at the back as Stoke's pressure finally told.

After a heated start to the second half, Stoke had the first effort of the second half when Liam Lawrence's drive shot from the right was well tipped over by Paul Robinson on 55 minutes.

A minute later Matthew Etherington headed Lawrence's cross wide at the far post as Stoke started to pile the pressure on the visitors.

Carlos Villanueva replaced Benni McCarthy in attack on 69 minutes and the Chilean playmaker immediately started to run at the hosts' defence.

Stoke made a vital breakthrough on 75 minutes though after Keith Andrews had needlessly given the ball away in midfield.

Danny Higginbotham's right wing cross was flicked on by James Beattie and Lawrence cut inside Givet before squeezing his shot past Paul Robinson in at the near post.

In a last throw of the dice Sam Allardyce pushed Chris Samba up front for the final 10 minutes and brought on David Dunn in search of some much needed creativity.

Rory Delap's long throw was Stoke's only real weapon of attack in a goalless first half, as Rovers dealt well with the aerial bombardment.

Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie thought they should have been awarded penalties but referee Howard Webb was right to wave play on both times.