BLACKBURN manager Mark Hughes admitted his players were left counting the cost of a poor performance in Greece as they crashed out of Europe last night.

Rovers beat Larissa 2-1 in the second leg of their tie at Ewood Park, but lost 3-2 on aggregate to Giorgos Donis's side.

A dejected Hughes later conceded Rovers paid the ultimate price for a sloppy display in the first leg a fortnight ago, and it was that which shattered his side's UEFA Cup dream.

"The damage was done in the first leg," said Hughes.

"Our performance in Greece wasn't of the correct standard, and we conceded two poor goals.

"Tonight again, the goal we conceded was disappointing from our point of view, so we just gave ourselves too much to do.

"In fairness to the lads, they kept going and we've actually won another game in Europe, but it certainly doesn't feel like that at the moment because we've obviously lost the tie."

Rovers went into last night's game needing to overturn a two goal deficit, but their task then became even more difficult when the Brazilian Cleyton Silva grabbed a vital away goal for the Greeks.

A Matt Derbyshire penalty and a rare strike from Stephen Warnock then gave Rovers a glimmer of hope, but they ended up falling short as Larissa defended tigerishly to pull off a famous victory.

"I felt it was always going to be difficult for us and, certainly once the goal went in, Larissa were perfectly capable of protecting that lead, and we found it very difficult to draw them out and create any worthwhile chances," said Hughes.

"You think when Stephen Warnock scores the second we might be able to get a little bit of momentum to our play, and we did for a while.

"But it was difficult to maintain. They made a few changes and got a lot of men behind the ball, and always had that threat on the break, which they had over the two legs, in fairness to them.

"They are a decent side and I'm sure they will do well."

Rovers must now concentrate on domestic matters, and a defiant Hughes added: "We are disappointed to go out, obviously.

"As far as the rest of the season is concerned, it may actually help us.

"We don't feel like that at the moment, but we are trying to take a positive out of it.

"With the travelling and playing Thursdays and Sundays, we won't have all that to worry about.

"You can say all the negatives you want about European football, but when you actually go out of it you still have that empty feeling.

"We have to qualify for it again next year."