BLACKBURN Rovers Under-23s lead coach Damien Johnson was disappointed with the result but not with the performance after his side were beaten 2-0 at Carlisle United in the Checkatrade Trophy.

A Rovers team featuring first-team outfield trio Wes Brown, Elliott Bennett and Anthony Stokes were the equals of the League Two high flyers’ for most of Tuesday’s Northern Group D encounter.

But they fell behind toward the end of the first half when Shaun Miller finished off a swift counter-attack move and their hopes of an equaliser were dashed at the death when Danny Grainger converted a penalty conceded by Brown.

The defeat means Rovers will have to beat Oldham Athletic in their final group game at Ewood Park on November 8 to stand any chance of making the knockout stages.

But they will go into the clash with the League One Latics with praise and constructive criticism ringing in their ears from Johnson.

He said: “I thought it was a good performance from the guys. Obviously we’re disappointed with the result as it’s a competition at the end of the day and we want to win.

“It was disappointing to lose the goals the way we did but I thought there were loads of positives from the evening.

“For large parts I thought we controlled the game and played some terrific stuff. It was just that little bit which was missing.

“But they’re still young, this is part of their development, and they will learn that if you can’t take your chances then you have to keep the back door shut.

“We knew it was going to be difficult coming here tonight. They’re a good side, and while they made some changes, the guys who came in have played a lot of games as well, so we knew we were up against it.

“But, certainly in the second half, we played the game in their half and got a lot of crosses in. We probably just needed a little bit more movement or for the ball to drop to us.

“But if you can’t score then you definitely need to keep the back door shut.

 “The first goal, you’re always vulnerable from a corner, because you’re committing a lot of bodies forward, so in that situation it’s about whether we can keep them in their half and keep them penned in, and with the second, I’m not sure it was a penalty.

“I thought 2-0 was a little bit harsh on us.”