Jon Dahl Tomasson knows there will be bumps in the road for Rovers as he was left disappointed with their quality in the final third as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Birmingham City.

Reda Khadra’s goal just after the hour proved decisive, as his shot from the edge of the area flew into the corner through a crowd of bodies.

Rovers had plenty of territory in both halves, while Dom Hyam had excellent opportunities from set plays, but they too let the game drift for too long after Khadra’s strike.

“We are disappointed with the result. It was an even game. We didn’t do enough to win it, but did enough to get a draw,” Tomasson said.

“Birmingham we’ve met four times, so it’s been all equal games, and the players know each other well and what to expect.

“I wasn’t surprised it was an equal game.

“I thought we started brightly, played some quick football, but lacking quality with the final ball.

“We suddenly slowed the tempo down and allowed Birmingham back into the game.

“When we played quick enough we created moments, but were lacking the final ball and the decision-making around the final third.

“At this stage of the season we know there will be bumps in the road and we know it won’t just be for Rovers in this great league.”

Ryan Hedges, preferred over Sorba Thomas from the start, drew saves out of John Ruddy in either half, while Bradley Dack, on his return to the squad after injury, also went close to a leveller.

“I think there were periods where we played really well but were lacking quality in the last third,” Tomasson added.

“We had attempts at goal but not the best attempts that you would want.”

Rovers’ failure to find an equaliser means they have picked up just one point from losing positions this season, that being the 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion in February.

“We are going on the pitch to win every game, we are ambitious. When you concede, the chances of losing are bigger, if you concede the second goal, it's almost lost if you look at the stats.

“I thought we were trying until the end and the 'keeper made a brilliant save from Dack's shot, for example. We had a few moments where we could've scored in the second half.”

Defeat leaves Rovers still inside the top six, with their gap to seventh-place remaining at four points.

Only three sides in the top half recorded victories, as the four sides directly below Rovers at the start of the day all failed to win.

And Tomasson said: “I think it will be like this for every team at this stage.

“It’s a tough league with great teams and great players.

“When it gets nervous there can be some strange results.

“We will follow the plan, the plan isn’t to lose but to improve and I think we’re doing that.”