Blackburn Rovers missed a golden opportunity in the race for the play-offs as their winless run stretched to four after losing 1-0 to Stoke City.
Valerien Ismael's wait for a first victory as head coach stands at three games after another very disappointing performance on the road. Rovers created very little after falling behind in the 19th minute to Ali Al-Hamadi's close-range finish.
It was a goal of their own making again, after the defensive lapses at Derby County. Dom Hyam was the guilty party as his loose pass was intercepted. Three passes later and it was in their net as former Rover Lewis Baker crossed for the on-loan Ipswich Town forward to net.
Rovers created scant little to say they trailed for 75 minutes of the contest. Todd Cantwell had their best opportunity in the first half as he was denied by Viktor Johansson and the post. That summed up Rovers' luck against the Potters' goalkeeper, though he was far less busy than the reverse fixture at Ewood Park.
Again, Rovers had plenty of possession in the second half but showed very little incision or confidence to try and break down Stoke. The hosts did not sit as deep as Derby but the outcome was the same.
Joe Rankin-Costello almost rescued a point in stoppage time as he turned a cross goal-bound but there was the Johansson again to make the save.
It is now just four wins in 17 games for Blackburn Rovers since mid-December. Zero points from two games against two out-of-form relegation struggles has done little to renew confidence that this year will be different from previous seasons where they have fallen short.
The challenge was clearly set for Blackburn Rovers ahead of kick-off after Tuesday night's results. Victory would catapult them back up to seventh with top-six rivals stumbling in midweek.
After the frustration and, for the fans, embarrassment, of the defeat to Derby County, Rovers owed their supporters a performance. Considering the personnel, Ismael needed one too to earn buy-in before the international break. The results this week an obvious mood-setter for that upcoming two-week pause.
Stoke City needed the points just as much, arguably more. They were one point above the relegation zone after wins for Derby and Luton Town on Tuesday. Quite frankly, whoever this ended badly for, would have the ire of their fans to contend with.
The abundance of Potters with former Rovers connections would have Rovers fans quaking. Of the four players available, Ash Phillips and Lewis Baker started with Andrew Moran and Sam Gallagher in reserve.
Ismael opted to stick with the three-man rearguard introduced at Pride Park. Dion Sanderson, Adam Forshaw and Cantwell were recalled with Sondre Tronstad and Yuki Ohashi benched after their recent return from injury.
Rovers made it through the first 10 minutes unscathed and looked to control the ball with Dolan and Cantwell adding extra layers in midfield. But whilst they moved it ok, they didn't look particularly threatening.
Blackburn were then the architects of their own downfall again as they gave away another sloppy goal. Hyam this time guilty of a very loose pass out to the right, intercepted by Bae Jun-ho. Two passes later, it was in their net as Baker crossed for Al-Hamdi, tapping in from close range after Hyam played him onside.
That was a disaster for Rovers and they struggled to regain any composure after that. Stoke controlled the remainder of the half, despite the away side going very close to a leveller.
Makhtar Gueye's ball in-behind sprung Dolan and he cut the ball back for Cantwell. He couldn't have hit the shot much better but the fingertips of Johnasson tipped the ball onto the post. It then ran across the line and to safety, typical of the luck Rovers have had in front of goal against the Potters this term.
Ismael was left with plenty to ponder at half-time, with the system tweak not working and the players looking visibly frustrated. On a few occasions, there was a risk of tension boiling over and a red card lurking.
Rovers came out unchanged but with more intensity. Callum Brittain sent a dipping volley just over the bar as they pushed for a much-needed equaliser.
With little inroads towards that target 20 minutes after the restart, the cavalry arrived. Emmanuel Dennis, Tronstad and Ohashi were called upon to try and make a difference after little impact from the bench on Saturday.
Stoke continued to carry a threat but there were obvious nerves creeping in as the clock ticked down. Bae nicked the ball back in midfield, drove towards goal but hit his shot straight at Pears. Rovers then had another scare when a run down the right from Lewis Koumas saw Pears intercept his cross with the South Korean poised to tap into the empty net.
At the other end, it was another game where Rovers simply did not work Johansson enough. They created very little despite being a goal down with their lack of incision in the final third a real concern.
Gueye's shot, heading on target at the least, was blocked by the arm of Hayden Carter and that went some way to summing up their night. The lack of late barrage was a reflection of the low confidence and lack of cutting edge throughout the team.
They did at least force the Stoke goalkeeper into one major save in stoppage time. Carter's cross was met by substitute Rankin-Costello but Johansson did remarkably well to fly across his line and keep it out.
Aynsley Pears had to deny Bae in stoppage time from making it two as he danced through the defence. As it was, it did not matter.
The lack of goals has been a problem all campaign and Rovers are paying for not investing in a Championship-ready number nine. Someone like Al-Hamadi might have been perfect but instead, he was scoring the winner for Stoke.
We are past the point of must-win now but Cardiff City feels like a major moment for Ismael, such has been the level of performance and the results.
