Damien Johnson was full of pride, and praise, for his Rovers Under-23s side despite missing the chance to secure the Premier League 2 Division Two title.

Rovers were the better side for the majority of the 90 minutes but couldn't get the goal that would have secured top spot as they were beaten 1-0 by nearest challengers Aston Villa at Ewood Park.

That leaves Villa four points behind Rovers, with Johnson's side knowing victory at West Brom in their final game next Monday will guarantee the title, and promotion, no matter how the Villains fare against Norwich and Newcastle in their remaining matches.

It was only a third defeat of the season for Rovers, but Johnson had no complaints with their performance.

He said: “It was one of those nights. The lads were disappointed, their heads were down, but I couldn’t fault our effort, some of our play was terrific, it was just that last little bit.

“You know when they keep fizzing past the goal you get the feeling that it might just be one of those nights.

“They kept going to be fair to them but it wasn’t to be.

“Villa were that bit more clinical than us with the few chances they had, they managed to put one away and that was the difference. But we’ll pick the lads up and go again next week.”

Jordan Lyden scored the only goal of the game in first-half injury time when a left-wing cross found him unmarked at the far post. Joe Nuttall twice went close for Rovers, with Matty Platt firing narrowly wide in a second half which the hosts spent camped in the Villa half.

“We got punished for one little lapse from a cross that came in but I always felt that we would create,” Johnson added.

“It was a case of whether we could get someone on the end of one of them, but it wasn’t to be.

“I can’t fault their effort, some of their play was terrific, but naturally they are disappointed.”

Almost 1,100 fans came out to cheer on Rovers, and grateful for their support, Johnson added: “They were terrific. It was nice to have an atmosphere because this is the stage that they want to be playing at on a regular basis.

“It was nice for the lads to get a taste of it and show that they can perform, albeit we didn’t get a result, the performance was there or thereabouts.”