A TRANSFER window of missed opportunity for Rovers was followed by a missed opportunity on the pitch 24 hours later.

Rovers failed to add the quality many felt they needed to aid their battle against the drop on deadline day and they were then left counting the cost of yet another late goal in defeat to Leeds on Wednesday night.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Elliott Bennett looked to have earned his side a point with his strike seven minutes from time, after Stuart Dallas had given the visitors the lead with 16 minutes to play.

Both of those goals had come with the first shots on target in the game, but Rovers were cruelly denied a point in the closing stages when Pontus Jansson headed home an 89th minute winner.

It was a game that lacked quality and chances, only to come alive in the final 15 minutes. 

But Rovers will be deeming it points dropped having done enough to earn a share of the spoils.

The hosts had the ball in the net as early as the fourth minute, only for Jason Lowe to see his celebrations cut short.  Sam Gallagher was adjudged to have fouled Rob Green as the pair challenged for a high ball before the Ewood skipper turned in.

The opening stages were competitive but chances, and quality in the final third, were at a premium with a set-play providing the first real sight of goal in the 20th minute.

Chris Wood picked himself up after being floored by Ryan Nyambe on the edge of the box, and flashed his free-kick inches wide of the post.

That was a rare highlight as both sides appeared happy to let the opposition back four stroke it around.

The Rovers fans were seeking more urgency from their side going forward and they ended the half with their most promising spell of the game.

But a Gallagher blocked shot was about all they could muster for their efforts having wasted two good counter-attacking opportunities.

A succession of early corners in the second period were again wasted by Rovers - who had started the brighter.

The pressure was building but Leeds goalkeeper Green had still yet to be forced into a real save.

The same could also be said for opposite number Jason Steele as the game ticked in to the final half an hour without a clear cut chance to note.

Rovers threatened when neat build-up play between Charlie Mulgrew and Danny Graham handed Gallagher the opportunity to break forward.  Choosing to shoot from all of 30 yards with open space ahead of him appeared ambitious, and so it proved as it flew well wide.

While not a shot, Bennett did force Green in to action with the Leeds keeper tipping his 68th minute free-kick away with Mulgrew waiting to turn the ball in at the far post.

Chants of ‘attack, attack, attack’, from the visiting fans asked for a reaction from their side and they got one almost instantly with the game’s opening goal.

A searching  ball was taken down on his chest by Dallas and he fired home with a terrific left-foot half volley across Steele and in to the corner with 16 minutes to play.

Owen Coyle made a double change, sending on Craig Conway and new-boy Lucas Joao in search of a much-needed spark.

Three Conway crosses in quick succession instantly put Leeds on the back foot, as Gallagher saw one shot blocked, while a goalmouth scramble was cleared by the visitors.

But, just as Leeds had done, Rovers scored with their first effort on target courtesy of Bennett’s second long ranger in the space of four days.

Conway had made his impact with his delivery and Joao nearly made his only to fire over from inside the box as Rovers went in search of a winner.

But it was Leeds who struck late. Rovers were made to pay for their defensive deficiencies once again and Jansson headed in from close range to leave the home side three points from safety.