Neil Harris accepted ‘a moment of class’ of Adam Armstrong tipped the balance in Rovers’ favour on what he admits was a frustrating night for his Cardiff City side.

Armstrong scored from all of 40 yards with 20 minutes remaining as Rovers twice came from behind to inflict a first defeat since the re-start on the play-off chasing Bluebirds.

A run of four wins from their last five matches had seen Harris’ side move in to sixth-placed, and they still have a cushion over the chasing pack after what was just a third defeat since New Year’s Day.

Cardiff had led at the break, courtesy of goals from Will Vaulks and Robert Glatzel, with Rovers having equalised first through Danny Graham and then early in the second half through Dominic Samuel.

Harris felt both of those goals were avoidable, but could do nothing but admire Armstrong’s winner.

"First and foremost frustrated of course,” he said.

"The first two goals were avoidable and disappointing goals. That little bit of the rub of the green that we've in recent games wasn't quite there.

"The third goal what a brilliant strike - no complaints it's just a moment of class on the football pitch. You have to applaud that.

"Yes it was a poor pass but he's hit the in the roof of the net from 45 yards fair play to the lad. The first two goals were avoidable and disappointing.

"The rub of the green we've had for some games wasn't quite there. I said to the players we have to learn from that.

"We need to defend better for the first two goals. I'm disappointed but it's 10 points from five games and that's the reality.

"It's not the time for over-analysing or berating the players. It's about moving on to Friday (at Fulham).”

Cardiff had lost just nine times all season prior to Tuesday night, the joint-fewest in the division.

Rovers were just the third team to win at the Cardiff City Stadium, and despite it being behind closed doors, Harris says that still hurt.

He added: "It hurts to lose at home, because it's our place, we don't want to lose to anybody. So that's frustrating.

"I thought the game was too open at times, for my liking, if you score two goals in any game you expect to win the game.

"So I just said to the players: 'That's the reminder, if we thought we were cruising, that we would just turn up and it would happen for us. Oh no.'

"We've had to work ridiculously hard to get to where we are and that's just a little kick up the backside to remind us.

"I just felt that in both boxes, Blackburn were better than us."