Adam Armstrong was disappointed that Rovers only had his penalty to show for their efforts in an FA Cup defeat at Birmingham City.

The attacker took his tally to seven for the season when scoring his third penalty of the campaign to draw Rovers level on the hour.

Rovers missed four excellent chances before the 22-year-old did draw them level, but they would prove costly as 10-man Birmingham snatched victory in the closing stages.

And Armstrong felt a failure to make the most of those opportunities was particularly disappointing, as were the two goals Rovers conceded at St Andrew’s.

He said: “It’s a hard one to take because we created so many chances but conceded two sloppy goals.

“That’s what’s costing us at the moment. If we put the chances away then we’d have been comfortable.

“If you don’t score then you’re not going to be able to win games. That’s what hurt us, not taking our chances.

“We showed that we’re creating chances. I think we would be more worried if we weren’t creating those opportunities. We had plenty, but we weren’t clinical enough.”

Rovers return to league action against Preston North End on Saturday, sitting 13th in the table, and only four points off the play-offs despite a disappointment festive period. They collected just two points from a possible 12 having headed in to it on the back of five wins in six matches.

Though with still 20 matches to play, Armstrong believes Rovers are well placed and with plenty to play for in the final four months of the season.

“We have to stick together because we’re still in a great place in the league,” Armstrong said.

We need to all stick together and look to move forward.

“There are positives, but there are also frustrations.

“It was one of those days where it just wouldn’t go in, but we have to look forward to this weekend.”

Armstrong scored in a third round replay against former club Newcastle United last season, but the exit to Birmingham means Rovers have exited at this stage of the FA Cup in each of the last three seasons.

“Growing up, you always want to play in the FA Cup, so it’s majorly disappointing to bow out of the competition,” he said.

“We have to bounce back and go again against Preston.”