Blackburn Rovers didn't get what they needed or what they deserved at Coventry City.

12 months to the day since their 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City, Rovers again lost a game that should've been a draw. That night, they had only themselves to blame as George Hirst missed from the spot in stoppage time.

At the Coventry Building Society Arena, Rovers were much improved defensively. They were tighter off the ball, with those that have underperformed in the last few matches looking closer to their normal levels.

Adam Wharton did a better job of breaking up play as well as offering quality in possession. The inclusion of James Hill at right-back gave Rovers more structure when they gave the ball away and made them less susceptible to counter-attacks.

READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers boss provides Adam Wharton injury update

Hayden Carter and Dom Hyam were much improved, particularly the former, who might've expected to come out for a breather as Lewis Travis and Harry Pickering did. In the end, the defence justified their selection despite the defeat.

The bigger issue was a lack of spark in the final third, which cost Rovers. Neither team had the firepower to find a way through, though the woodwork was struck on four separate occasions. 

Whether it was a deliberate game plan to be more reserved or the lack of a focal point having an impact, Rovers didn't click going forward. They were limited to half-chances, though they could've done with referee Jeremy Simpson not changing his mind on Andrew Moran's debatable goal.

On replay, it looks like just about the right decision but the process to get there was messy. Simpson seemed adamant no foul had taken place, awarding the goal. He then consulted with his linesman, who didn't have a better vantage point, and ruled it out. How they got to their final decision was certainly rather odd, even if the call isn't overly controversial.

Without a number nine, Sam Szmodics again foiled away up front. Playing as the most advanced player takes something away from his game and he was on the periphery of play. It wasn't until Coventry scored that Jon Dahl Tomasson changed things and introduced Semir Telalovic, who seems to be getting fewer minutes, rather than more, with each passing league match.

The best chance of the night fell to the man Rovers fans probably would've wanted it to. Arnor Sigurdsson has shown an ice-cold finishing touch in his early Blackburn career but that deserted him at Coventry.

It was a rather odd finish as he took the shot early and it was a comfortable save for Ben Wilson in the end. He'd only been on the pitch for around five minutes so that could've played a part. It was an uncharacteristic rush of blood, given what we've seen so far. He could've even squared it.

So although Rovers did lose something going forward - maybe for defensive solidity, maybe just a tougher night for the attackers - they did have big moments where they could've won the game. But if you can't win it, you don't lose it.

Too many times last season, Rovers ended up with narrow defeats in matches that should've been a draw. The aforementioned Cardiff defeat, Wigan Athletic away, etc.

It's now four Championship defeats in a row and Rovers have 10 points from their first 10 league games. Being 20th in the league is far from ideal but it's not time to ring the alarm bells just yet.

The result does ramp the pressure up for Saturday's game at Queens Park Rangers, which feels must-win. Gareth Ainsworth's side are in the bottom three and have won just one of their last 19 league games at Loftus Road.

If Rovers were to win, it would at least give the club a lift going into the international break. Defeat and the frustration will only bubble away during the two-week wait.