Dugarry is floored by the force of Todd's boot

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has branded Blackburn's Andy Todd an "outrage" after the defender lashed out at Christophe Dugarry.

Dugarry tormented Blackburn's defence throughout the match and twice came close to scoring.

Midway through the first half Dugarry and Todd were involved in an ariel tussel.

The Rovers centre-back and Blues midfielder Aliou Cisse then clattered into each, with Dugarry kicking out at Todd, who then retaliated by kicking the Frenchman on the backside.

Bruce could not believe his eyes and was quick to condemn Todd's actions.

"It's an outrage for someone to kick out like that and I have never seen anything like that," he said.

It's hard to hold yourself back - some of us have been there Blackburn boss Graeme Souness

"I cannot understand anybody viciously booting someone like that.

"I don't know what Dugarry has done to warrant that sort of vicious attack on him.

"He might want to go back to the tranquil life of Bordeaux after that assault."

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness insisted that Todd had been provoked by Dugarry, and has decided not to fine his defender.

"He knows he has let everyone down including himself but there are mitigating circumstances," he said.

"It's very hard to hold yourself back in that sort of situation.

"Some of us have been there."

Blackburn had dominated proceedings before Todd's dismissal, taking the lead through a sharp finish from Damien Duff.

But Bruce's men kept up the pressure on 10-man Rovers and grabbed the equaliser seven minutes from time.

Stern John came off the bench to head home Stan Lazaridis' cross.

"You did wonder that if we had played until 10pm that for all the chances we had we wouldn't have scored," admitted Bruce.

"Thankfully Stan's put in a great cross and Stern has got what we deserved."