Grant McCann felt Hull City were denied ‘a legitimately good goal’ in the defeat to Rovers.

Josh Magennis thought he had put the visitors ahead when turning home a Callum Elder cross, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag.

McCann said Magennis was behind the ball when it was delivered with replays showing it was a marginal call as Elder supplied him from the left.

He said: “I thought we scored a legitimately good goal, which the linesman ruled out - and he was in a World Cup final. I am surprised when I saw it back as Josh is behind the ball.

“That maybe changed the complexion of the game. Those are the fine margins which are probably not going our way at minute.

“But if we continue to play like this and show the drive in terms of what we are doing going forward, then we will be fine.”

Rovers made a double switch soon after, sending on Reda Khadra and Dan Butterworth, as the game turned on its head. Daniel Ayala headed the hosts into the lead just after the hour mark and within four minutes Ben Brereton had added a second.

Hull, promoted from League One last term, remain without a win since the opening day which was also the last time they scored, a run which now stretches nine hours.

“It is cruel. I thought we were excellent between both boxes. A 10 minute spell where we conceded off a set-play with an individual mistake cost us, which is disappointing for us,” McCann added.

“I thought our general play was good and I thought we controlled most of the game in terms of what we are trying to do and then there was that spell for 10 or 15 minutes where Blackburn came on strong.

“The second goal was a sucker-punch, but I was pleased with the boys and they kept going and created opportunities. We are just slashing at things at the minute. Maybe they are trying too hard, I don’t know.

“I have never seen so many shots fly over the crossbar since I have been at the football club and from players who are usually quite clinical and deadly in those situations.”