Blackburn Rovers are just one point above the Championship relegation zone after another away defeat, this time losing 2-1 at Swansea City.

John Eustace is now without a win in six league matches as head coach as a terrible first half an hour proved costly in South Wales.

Rovers were two down after 20 minutes with Joe Allen scoring the first, a close-range finish after they made a mess of clearing a cross into the box.

The second was worse and completely of their own making. Andrew Moran was robbed of the ball deep in his own half and Jamie Paterson punished them to put the Welsh side in control.

Rovers did improve and put pressure on in the second half but they were wasteful when they got into promising opportunities. The final pass, shot or the decision-making was missing in the final third.

Sam Szmodics did make things interesting with 25 minutes to go, volleying in John Buckley's inswinging free-kick for 2-1.

Rovers pushed for the equaliser but fell a seventh defeat in nine Championship away games. With results not going in their favour again, it leaves them only one point above the relegation zone on 39 points, albeit there are a few teams between them and the bottom three.

The concern ahead of the gruelling trip to South Wales was whether there might be a hangover from Tuesday night's exploits. It was a magical night at Ewood Park but what would the physical, emotional and mental impact be ahead of a seventh game in 21 days?

From the first whistle, Swansea were on the front foot and took only six minutes to get in front. Przemysław Płacheta got past Moran down the Swansea left and his cross wasn't dealt with, allowing the ball to be turned in by Allen from close range.

That was exactly the start Rovers didn't need and any hope of easing their way into the game evaporated. Swansea were quick to press them on the ball and looked sharp in possession too, buoyed by an early goal.

Rovers' best route to goal seemed to be from the flanks with balls down the side of Swansea's centre-backs causing issues. A nice flowing move saw the ball shuffled to Callum Brittain but he dragged his shot wide.

That was a crucial moment because a few minutes later, Swansea doubled their lead. It was all of Rovers' own making with Moran robbed of the ball deep in his own half, giving Paterson the chance to run at Kyle McFadzean, shift it one way and fire into the net.

That gave Rovers a mountain to climb and left them staring down the barrel at a ninth-successive away game without victory. Swansea were the brighter side both in and out of possession, with their free midweek telling.

Rovers, on the other hand, looked leggy and like a team that were running on empty, with half an hour gone.

Eustace's side did end the first half the stronger and got into some promising positions but the final pass or shot was missing. Brittain and Dolan got into some great areas but were denied by Rushworth or dragged their effort off target.

The Rovers head coach responded with a double change at half-time and a switch to a four-man defence, with Yasin Ayari and Arnor Sigurdsson tasked with coming on and changing the game.

Rovers continued to get into decent positions but did not make the most of them. Sam Gallagher was put through by Szmodics but his touch was heavy and then the striker was denied through on goal by a brilliant last-ditch Ben Cabango challenge.

Despite their wastefulness until that point, Rovers did eventually half the deficit with 25 minutes remaining. Buckley's free-kick was met by the side foot of Szmodics and he reduced the deficit to one.

That goal really spurred Rovers and injected some belief into the team. Moments later Buckley almost levelled after great feet in the box and substitute Dilan Markanday strung the palms of Rushworth.

Swansea didn't carry much of an attacking threat but could have wrapped the game up when Jerry Yates went through on goal. Credit to Aynsley Pears for his quick reactions, off his line to smother the shot.

Despite nine minutes of added time, Rovers couldn't muster another really dangerous effort on goal. They got into more decent areas but the last pass wasn't there.

It is now a run of two wins in 17 Championship matches and results elsewhere have really cranked up the pressure with two home games next week. They are both looking must-win, quite simply.