Blackburn Rovers assistant manager Keith Downing admitted the 0-0 draw with Coventry City was a missed opportunity but was pleased with the team's response.

Rovers put in a much-improved performance against the Sky Blues but missed a number of clear-cut chances against ten men to win the game. Victory would have secured their Championship status because of results elsewhere.

Compared to the Sheffield Wednesday defeat, Rovers played far better but will be gutted to have missed the chance to end their nervous wait for safety. It will now come down to the final day where they may need to avoid defeat at Leicester City.

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Reflecting on the match, Downing admitted that Rovers are disappointed at a missed opportunity. However, he did stress the positives of the display itself.

"Overall, we are disappointed because we have had 30 shots on goal," Downing said.

"We didn't get that final touch which proved elusive all afternoon. The attitude of the players to create those chances (was good).

"Credit to Coventry as well, they had 10 blocks in there, they put their bodies on the line. We missed a bit of quality in the final third. 

"It was a bounce-back game for us, last week was disappointing. We needed a response and I think we got that. The final third quality just eluded us today.

"It wasn't for the want of trying, sometimes you need something that goes in off someone's backside. A scruffy goal, things like that. There were a lot of loose balls bouncing around but we couldn't get the final touch.

"I am not going to lie to you, people have come in disappointed. They knew there was a chance there to win the game.

"We are very disappointed but we have to look at the positives. We restricted a very good Coventry, we know what they have been through with the FA Cup game and Hull but they have very good players on the pitch, they are always a threat.

"We nullified them very well but couldn't get the final touch at the other end of the pitch."

Downing was addressing the media because John Eustace was sent off from the touchline and therefore not allowed to speak post-match.

There was an altercation with Kasey Palmer in the second half which means the head coach could be banned from the touchline next weekend.

"I think there was an altercation, Kasey Palmer held the ball," Downing explained.

"We were told about getting the ball back into play at the start of the season. I think John tried to grab the ball, came together with the play but there wasn't much in it, in my opinion.

"The fourth official tells me that they can't grapple or manhandle. I am not sure it was a man-handle situation but the rules are the rules and he had to spend time watching the game elsewhere."