STEVE Kean admits his Blackburn Rovers side were too deep in the second half of today's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town.

The Rovers boss believed yellow cards to Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu allowed the hosts to seize the initiative – but insists it is not a bad point to open their Championship season.

Colin Kazim-Richards gave Rovers the first half lead but, under pressure for most of the second half, a Jason Lowe own goal earned Ipswich a deserved point.

Kean said: “I think the two big factors in the game were the chance that falls to Colin when it narrowly goes over. If that goes in the game is dead and buried.

“Then what affected us getting a lot deeper is the cards for Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu. They found themselves in a difficult position because they can't make a mistimed tackle.

“That stopped us putting pressure on the ball and we got a little bit deep and ended up giving away too many free kicks and too many penalty area entries.

“When the lads take a card they are reluctant to push in. In the first half there were lots of tackles and lots of interceptions.

“We were left with the decision to change them or hold on and try and score a second, which we nearly did..

“Full credit to Ipswich I think they are an excellent side and this is a very difficult place to come. “