John Eustace hopes Makhtar Gueye can keep progressing after the striker’s “best performance of the season” against Coventry.

Gueye was effective at linking play against the Sky Blues and unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet.

The 27-year-old had to wait until December 10 for his first league goal for Rovers but is now showing what he can do in the final third.

“I think that was his best performance of the season,” said Eustace. “It is great that he is improving and developing over the course of the season.

“Obviously, it has been a frustrating time for him but I was really pleased with his performance tonight and it is a shame he couldn’t round it off with a goal.”

Ellis Simms’ opener came on the stroke of half time after Rovers had failed to clear their lines from a corner.

The second also came from a cross, which allowed Simms to tee up Brandon Thomas-Asante from close range.

“I think for the first 40 minutes, we dominated and we were disappointed that we didn't score,” the head coach added.

“We spoke about having four really good opportunities. Coventry didn't really cause us any problems at all. Obviously, when you concede a set-piece in that second phase, I think it's disappointing.

“We spoke about a couple of things that we needed to improve on and unfortunately, we just switched off from their goal kick. They drove all the way through the heart of the team and we did not defend the cross properly.”

With Aynsley Pears unavailable due to illness, Balazs Toth was handed a first league start at Ewood Park. However, some supporters felt the goalkeeper could have done better with the opener.

“That is his first appearance in the league for us,” said Eustace. “He has been waiting four or five months.

“Obviously, Aynsley was poorly just before the game so he wasn't available and it is about him just getting up to speed with the Championship and the games. Unfortunately, I think if we look at that I think he will be disappointed.”

Joe Hilton, Matty Litherland, James Edmondson and Harley O’Grady-Macken were all named on the bench against the Sky Blues amid Rovers’ lengthy injury list.

“We have already had games where we have had a couple of 16-year-olds on the bench but I think tonight you have to look at the effort of the group,” the boss added.

“Again, we have come up against a very good team, a very experienced squad, spent millions of pounds and I don't think we deserved to lose the game.

“We went toe-to-toe with them and on another day we could have easily scored a couple of goals.”