A DISAPPOINTED Graeme Souness blamed poor defending for Blackburn Rovers' 1-0 demise at Tottenham Hostpur on Saturday.

Jermain Defoe's 18th minute goal ultimately proved decisive as Spurs avenged a 1-0 defeat at Ewood Park earlier in the season.

But although Souness was quick to praise the quality of Defoe's match-winning strike, he chastised his defenders for the way in which it was conceded.

"It was a disappointing day for us," lamented Souness.

"In recent weeks, we've defended properly and that's why we've managed to get ourselves out of the river.

"But today we didn't defend at all well for their goal and at this level, if you knock off for half a second, then it can cost you dearly.

"To lose a goal when it comes straight through the middle of your team and between your two centre backs is an extremely poor way to concede a goal.

"The ball travelled 50 or 60 yards and it's the easiest thing to defend, but we didn't.

"It's been a frustrating season but you can see why we are down nearer the bottom than the top because we've defended like that all season.

"You only have to knock off for a second, we did that after 15 minutes, and it cost us a goal which meant we were chasing it after that."

Despite conceding that goal so early, Rovers fought back bravely and carved out enough chances to have earned at least a point.

But for once, the normally razor sharp Jonathan Stead failed to capitalise on a number of inviting opportunities, including two in as many minutes shortly after half time.

"In the first half, there wasn't a great deal in it," continued Souness.

"At the start of the second half we had two or three good chances and Jon Stead maybe missed the best one.

"He also made their goalkeeper make a good save from another one but we can't be critical of Jon because his goals have arguably kept us in the Premiership this year.

"Overall, though, I'm disappointed because some of our players weren't fully at it today.

"The margins for error which we operate in, in terms of what it takes to win or lose a game, are extremely small and if you're just off the pace a little bit, like three or four of ours were today, then you're not going to get anything from games."

Souness did have a few words of encouragement for Peter Enckelman, however, who made a number of impressive saves on his debut for the club.

One in particular from Defoe in the second half was right out of the top drawer.

"The shot that beat him was past him before he had a chance to move but Defoe does strike a ball exceptionally well," said Souness.

"Other than that, I thought he did okay.

"Obviously, he was a wee bit rusty but he made a very good save late on from Defoe."

Now Souness hopes his players can end the season on a high against Birmingham on Saturday.

Ewood Park has hardly been the happiest of hunting grounds for Rovers this season but Souness wants to repay the fans for their unstinting loyalty by signing off with a win.

"We've not exactly excited our supporters at home this year so we must go out on a high on Saturday," the Rovers boss added.