Jon Dahl Tomasson was proud of his players in defeat– and acknowledged Manuel Benson’s moment of quality – as Rovers were beaten by Burnley at Ewood Park.

Benson came off the bench to settle the second East Lancashire derby of the season, and in turn secure the Championship title for the Clarets.

Rovers were dominant for large spells, restricting Burnley to just one shot on target, but a lack of killer instinct in the final third saw the hosts fail to score for a fourth time in seven games.

It leaves Rovers with the prospect of needing two wins from their remaining fixtures to secure a play-off spot, but Tomasson is encouraged by the displays, despite it being no victory in seven since the international break.

“First of all the atmosphere was great, our fans were excellent. Losing a game, you’re disappointed, especially against a rival,” Tomasson said.

“I know we’re at a different place, they have been in the Premier League for six seasons, with Premier League experience and parachute payments, and we were the best team before they scored a great goal, all credit to the lad, they didn’t have one shot on goal.

“We were missing, probably as we were playing against the best team in the league, the quality to create a bit more, so disappointing to concede especially after a great performance.

“On other hand the players kept on going to the end.

“We must admit the way the players played this game was excellent, on a high level, against the best team in the league and actually before they scored we were dominant.

“But you need goals to win games.”

Tomasson also rued a late handball call that went against them, with Ashley Barnes appearing to handle when Callum Brittain turned the ball across goal in injury time.

“I haven’t complained about referees much this season but in the end there was a penalty with the hand again, so it’s important the referee gets those important moments right, against Coventry and tonight, they have to get those right,” Tomasson added.

“The linesman could see it.”

Rovers now have a five-day break until their next fixture, not in action again until they host Luton Town next Monday before a potential final day showdown at Millwall on May 8.

Tomasson said: “We will be very disappointed tonight and tomorrow but then the day after we get ready for Luton and if we have that mindset, and the lads have shown that, that we’re able to bounce back with a good performance.”

Rovers again had to do without Sam Gallagher in attack, as Tyrhys Dolan led the line, and the inability to add a striker in the January transfer window will have been firmly in Tomasson’s mind as they failed to make the most of some promising positions throughout the game.

“It’s the most difficult to score goals, we know that, I know that because I have been a goalscorer myself,” he added.

“We’re coming into very good positions, where we should affect the game better.”

Burnley turned to Benson just seven minutes into the second half, one of four attacking options that Vincent Kompany had to pick from.

He cut inside on his left foot to bend a shot beyond Aynsley Pears, with Tomasson acknowledging the quality of the goal.

He said: “I think a goal like that is class, and he was even sitting on the bench.

“They had three strikers and a winger sitting on the bench, and bringing on a player of that quality.

“It’s very difficult to stop when it’s a quality player.

“We were defending excellently to that point, played football under pressure, one and two touches, and what were lacking is the final third.”