BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer revealed ‘more than harsh words’ were said in the dressing room after his side’s 2-0 defeat at Derby County last night.

Rovers were frustrating the high-flying Rams until their failure to clear a long throw resulted in substitute Darren Bent scoring the first of his two goals.

And the nature of the England striker’s second in injury-time also riled a livid Bowyer.

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“We came with a game plan to frustrate Derby and it was working well,” said Bowyer, who lost Tom Cairney, top-scorer Rudy Gestede and Grant Hanley to injury.

“We competed for most parts of the game ever so well and at half-time, after Lee Grant has made a great save from Craig Conway, we told the lads to stick at it and keep going because we’d get an opportunity.

“But we were undone by two really poor bits of defending for the goals. There’s no excuse for it, there’s no defending it.

“Don’t get me wrong, Darren Bent has got Premier League quality, and what he’s done tonight he’s done throughout his career, but you’re not telling me they were quality goals. They were scrappy, horrible goals. 

“We kept plugging away and Lee Grant has pulled out an unbelievable save from Chris Brown but the second goal was poor.

“It’s just not acceptable.”

While Rovers’ fifth defeat in their last eight Championship matches meant they remained 11 points behind the play-offs, Derby’s fourth win in their last five league games moved them up to second and level on points with leaders Bournemouth.

Rams boss Steve McClaren hailed his side and in particular the predatory instincts of Bent, his new loan capture from Aston Villa.

McClaren said: “Some people arrive in the box and the ball never finds them but he’s a genuine finisher with the skill and composure to snap up chances.

“We had to dig deep because Rovers are a tough, strong, direct side but I thought our attitude was absolutely tremendous.”

McClaren also paid tribute to his keeper’s crucial stop from Brown: “It was a great save and it won us the game.”