STAND-IN manager Tony Parkes had few complaints about Rovers 2-1 defeat at lowly Palace.

With manager Graeme Souness again away on a spying mission, Parkes assumed control for the second time in three games following last weekend's trip to Grimsby.

And he admitted afterwards that Palace were full value for their victory -- a result which safeguards their place in the First Division.

"Palace deserved to win -- there was no doubt about that," said Parkes.

"They were playing well before Lee Carsley got sent off although, obviously, that didn't help the situation once we went down to 10.

"But they created quite a few chances and we've no real complaints about the result.

"We are disappointed with the way we played.

"We played for the first 20 minutes and scored an excellent goal but, after that, we were very patchy.

"Then we made a mistake for their second goal which cost us dearly and, once Lee got sent off, it was always going to be difficult for us, as it turned out to be.

"But Palace's second goal was a great goal.

"It was a wonderful header and, even if we'd had 11 men on the pitch, we might still have conceded that one."

Parkes, however, believes Rovers can bounce back and finish the season with a flourish against Manchester City on Sunday.

"They still need a point for promotion so it's a good game to end on.

"It would have been an end of the season game for us otherwise but now it's an exciting one and I'm sure Man City won't relish coming to Blackburn.

"It's a great opportunity to see if we can show we are as good as a team who might be leaving the league so it's going to be a test for our players on the day."