OLD habits certainly do die hard for Blackburn Rovers.

Just when they appeared to have shook off their defensive inefficiencies, mistakes reared their ugly head once again in what was yet another missed opportunity.

Ipswich didn’t have to work too hard for the points at Portman Road, with Owen Coyle believing his side to have simply gifted them the victory, as their positive start to 2017 was undone.

While no defeat is easy to take, the way that Rovers continue to make things harder for themselves in many of their games make theirs that much more galling.

They were once again their own worst enemy, making more than one mistake in the build up to each of the Ipswich three goals, to move  to 43 conceded in just 26 league games.

So it was to be another game, and opportunity, passed up by Rovers, who, when games are open, do continue to struggle.

Such an expansive approach isn’t typical of a side in the bottom three, and while it is hard to criticise a team for being so positive, it is results which matter for Rovers in the position they find themselves.

While their adopted style in the draw at Huddersfield and Newcastle may not have been so pleasing on the eye, it was mightily effective, and potentially one they need to revert to on more of a consistent basis should that be the only way they will rid themselves of these costly errors.

Coyle’s men may well just have one more league game left this month, but they are moving in to what could well be a decisive few weeks in the club’s history.

January could well be a window of opportunity, one they can’t simply ill afford to pass up.

Rovers desperately need to strengthen their ranks, as while they have been blighted by injuries throughout the course of the season, the squad does look worryingly thin.

While the incomings may not be the saviours of the season, simply adding depth and competition would be a start, as fresh impetus is certainly needed ahead of a run of four consecutive home games in the league and FA Cup.

Rovers remain still one point from safety, but can’t just rely on other sides not taking the advantage of the points on offer in the race to beat the drop.

A bright start to the game saw both sides go close in the opening half an hour, with Freddie Sears firing wide on the half volley, as well as being denied by a smart Jason Steele stop.

At the other end, Bartosz Bialkowski kept out a Sam Gallagher effort at point-blank range after good work by Liam Feeney, as well as tipping over a header from the same player.

But seven minutes before the break, after Ben Marshall gave away an unnecessary free-kick, Lawrence fired home the first of his two goals, despite Jason Steele getting a good hand to his strike.

Within five minutes however, Rovers levelled through Hope Akpan’s assured finish in to the corner after he was teed up by Danny Graham’s lay-off.

Two goals in four second half minutes proved to be decisive for the hosts though, as Christophe Berra restored Ipswich’s lead with his close-range finish after Cole Skuse flicked on a right-wing corner.

Lawrence then grabbed his second of the day, and what a stunner it was, as he pounced on a loose Liam Feeney pass to fire in to the top corner from all of 35 yards.

Rovers weren’t done, and threatened a comeback when Graham scored his 10th from the season from the spot after Akpan was fouled 16 minutes from time.

Chances to score a second equaliser were at a premium for Rovers, though they did feel aggrieved not to get a second penalty late on when Derrick Williams appeared to be pulled back in the area.

And so it was to be a fourth 3-2 defeat for Rovers in their last seven league outings.

In all, it’s now 11 one goal defeats this season, and they must simply start turning those margins in to their favour.

Their Championship status could well depend on it.