Hughes' Blackburn beat Pearce's City in a feisty encounter

The first two last-eight games had ended in draws and Hughes said: "The job was just to get in the hat, we didn't want any more replays.

"We got the job done so we are delighted and we'll watch everyone else try to join us."

Hughes, who won the FA Cup four times as a player, added: "We had to dig deep after Aaron Mokoena's sending-off."

Interview: Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes

Interview: Man City boss Stuart Pearce

Hughes said: "At first I thought it was harsh but probably by the letter of the law you would say it was two yellows.

"Aaron has been playing exceptionally well. He has been one of our main players on this Cup run and is a crucial member of the squad."

Everyone in the dressing room is bitterly disappointed and frustrated Stuart Pearce

Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce was once again left to rue his side's inability to find the net.

"It's been the story of our season," he said. "Defensively we've been reasonably tight but we need to find a bit more fire-power.

"The 'goals for' column has been our Achilles' heel."

City's large group of travelling support booed the players after the match at Ewood Park and Pearce said he understood the fans' anger.

"Everyone in the dressing room is bitterly disappointed and frustrated by the way things are going," he said.

"The buck always stops with me. The flak comes with the job and I'm not going to moan about it.

"I'm not one of those people who goes high as a kite when things go well and it's the same when things don't go well.

"On Monday morning it will be my job to lift the players."