BRIAN Kidd has vowed not to sacrifice his footballing principles in a bid to find a quick-fix solution to Blackburn Rovers' problems.

The Ewood chief was left frustrated as Rovers six-game unbeaten run came shuddering to a halt at struggling Swindon last night.

But he insists his side will pass their way out of trouble rather than opting for a more direct approach.

"We can't just go knocking it in for knocking it in's sake," said Kidd.

"We've got to remain patient, keep probing and changing the angle and I thought that's what we did.

"I'd rather we keep trying to play our way in rather than knocking it long because if you do that you're just giving it straight back to them.

"But positive things have come out of this game.

"And if we keep playing like that then we'll win more than we lose." Rovers made a blistering start to last night's clash and looked all set to extend their unbeaten run.

But they were rocked by two soft goals in as many minutes.

And Jimmy Quinn's men then dug in to grind out a shock result.

"Everyone wants to topple us at the moment but that's something we've got to live with," said Kidd.

"That's the challenge.

"But it's up to us. We've got to rise to that and the players have got to accept that mantle.

"This is a good league, there are some very good teams in it and we aren't taking anyone lightly.

"Before they scored, there was only going to be one winner. "But I thought it was really bad concentration on our part to concede off a set-piece and then another on the break.

"You've got to give credit to Swindon, though, because they defended with their lives, they got bodies in the way, and they made life difficult for us.

"That's a part of the game you need, though, and it got them a result.

"I can't fault the players for effort because they gave their lot.

"We had decent possession early on but then I thought we got careless because we thought we could score anytime, and that doesn't happen.

"It was all about concentration and being disciplined when you are going forward.

"And that went out of the window for a little 10 minute spell."

Kidd had warned his men about the threat Bobby Howe possessed at set-pieces.

But they didn't defend his 30th minute corner and the ball eventually went in off Simon Grayson.

Howe then bagged the second two minutes later and it was only when Egil Ostenstad came on as a second half substitute that they finally pulled one back. Meanwhile, Jason McAteer's return from injury has been delayed and he won't figure in the Rovers' reserve side against Bradford City at Valley Parade tonight (kick-off 7pm).

Rovers reserves: Kelly, McNamee, Richardson, Gill, Taylor, Murphy, Johnson, Dunn, Hamilton, Thomas, Duff, Scates, Bingham, Hawe, D Dunning, Baldacchino.

Keith Gillespie has been included in the Northern Ireland squad to play Finland in Helsinki on Saturday week, while Rovers team-mate Damian Johnson is in the under-21 party for the previous night's game.

And the Blackburn trio of Kevin Gallacher, Christian Dailly and Callum Davidson were today expected to be named in the Scotland squad for their Euro 2000 qualifiers against Bosnia and Lithuania next week.

With Don Hutchinson suspended, Gallacher may be asked to partner Billy Dodds up front against Bosnia at Ibrox next Tuesday night, when a win for the Scots will secure them a play-off spot from Group Nine behind run-away leaders the Czech Republic.

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