IT might only be a goal and it maybe should have been more, but I think Rovers have got one foot into the first round of the UEFA Cup.

When Santa Cruz scored so early in the game, and what a great finish it was, it looked like we were in for a hatful of goals, but MyPa were stubborn and Rovers couldn't add to their tally.

That's a bit disappointing given the strong team that was out there and the wealth of attacking options available, but a 1-0 result away from home in any competition is a good result. And in Europe that's a priceless away goal.

That's exactly what you want, and to keep a clean sheet is another huge bonus.

They weren't a bad side and they appeared to grow in confidence in the second half. Maybe that was because they've played more games than Rovers, I don't know.

But now they will have to travel to Ewood Park for the return and I wouldn't expect them to progress any further to be honest.

They'll have to come out and attack and that will leave gaps at the back that pacy players like Bentley, Derbyshire, Pedersen and McCarthy can take advantage of.

I would say the Rovers are 99 per cent through, although Mark Hughes definitely won't be thinking that and neither will the players.

But I think they have enough to see the second leg through.

That was the target and it makes entering the Intertoto Cup well worth it.