Oxford 0-3 Blackburn: Michael Appleton and Paul Lambert reaction

Paul Lambert has vowed to use the Jordan Rhodes sale fee to rebuild Blackburn after his side knocked Oxford out of the FA Cup in their fourth round tie on Saturday.

Rovers fans were reeling on Friday night when the news emerged that their prolific striker was on his way to Middlesbrough for talks over a reported £9m move.

Rhodes had travelled with the Blackburn squad to Oxford for the game, only to head to the north-east once the two clubs agreed a fee.

Boro had a bid rejected last summer for the Scotland forward - who hit 85 goals in 169 appearances for Rovers - but appear to have finally got their man.

Rovers boss Lambert said: "It happened late last night, we were in the hotel and we got the call.

"The lad came and saw me, he wanted to go, and to be honest I thought the club should have taken the offer the summer before.

"Jordan has been excellent for Blackburn, but the money is too good to turn down. The investment will help, the club has got to rebuild. We need a stronger team to be able to get out of this league."

But Rovers didn't seem to be missing him on the pitch as Ben Marshall and Tony Watt did their best to soften the blow with the goals to sink League Two Oxford, eventually winning 3-0.

Marshall took on Rhodes' penalty-taking duties with the opener in the 27th minute, after Joe Skarz had fouled Simeon Jackson.

Watt signed on loan from Charlton this week and was handed the task of replacing Rovers' star man and got off to a decent start with a debut goal moments before half-time.

And Marshall wrapped up a comfortable win 13 minutes from time with a curling free-kick from 25 yards.

"I thought we were excellent," added Lambert. "Oxford are a good side, they beat Swansea in the last round and they are doing will in their league.

"Now if we got a Premier League side away in the next round it would help us even more financially."

U's boss Michael Appleton was denied a spot of revenge over Rovers, having been sacked by the club in 2013 after just 67 days in charge.

His star striker, Kemar Roofe, scored twice in the third round win over Swansea but barely had a sniff against the Championship side.

"We knew it wouldn't be easy and we came across a really strong outfit in Blackburn," said Appleton.

"We weren't surprised by them, we knew what they are about. We played a part in all their goals, which is disappointing. We were a little bit naive and it probably shows why we are still a League Two side. But we will learn from it.

"Jordan Rhodes' absence was always going to be an opportunity for someone else, and Tony Watt took his chance and got his goal.

"We are having a fantastic time this year, but we are where we are for a reason. We just came up a bit short today."