With seven matches to go and Blackburn Rovers' Championship status on the line, it's not always easy to spot the positives in defeat.

John Eustace's side didn't get the rewards their second-half performance deserved at Ewood Park. They were beaten by an early, avoidable Connor Chaplin goal, with Ipswich hanging on for the victory.

It puts another unwanted blemish on Eustace's record. 10 games, no wins, not the ideal start for any new head coach. Those looking at just the results will point to another game where Rovers haven't won.

There is no dressing up the current run of form - nor is this an attempt to. If Rovers get relegated, they can have no complaints after one win in 18 league games or two wins in 21, whichever version you can stomach easier.

READ MORE: Rovers set challenge to ensure positives turn into points

But had this match been played out in November, or with Rovers positioned higher in the table, supporters would reflect more favourably to the unfortunate defeat.

Rovers can not afford to have any 'free hits' in their run-in, despite playing all of the top four. That said, everyone knew this would be a tough fixture, underlined by Ipswich going top with their victory.

Yet the Tractor Boys created very little in the way of clear-cut chances. Before we come on to the controversial decisions that went against Rovers, it's worth acknowledging Ipswich should've had a penalty early on at 0-0 when Callum Brittain pulled Nathan Broadhead to the ground. 

Chaplin's goal was undeniably a mistake from Aynsley Pears. He has been a consistent performer since returning from injury but this was a goal he won't want to see back. Ipswich's number 10 didn't catch his shot and that seemed to deceive Pears, who fumbled it into the net.

Bar a few counter-attacks, Ipswich didn't really create much else and after a blunt first-half, Rovers did have enough chances to score.

They had one perfectly good goal ruled out, in my eyes. It was incredibly harsh to judge Sam Szmodics as interfering with play considering the ball was past Vaclav Hladky as he jumped out of the way. It's tough to see an argument that he was in his line of vision.

Scott Wharton's challenge on the goalkeeper probably was a foul, certainly in today's game. But it would not have been a howler if Stuart Attwell had leaned in Rovers' decision.

Whilst Pears' mistake proved costly, Hladky was able to atone for his after Szmodics robbed him of the ball near his goal-line. That moment gave a feeling that it just wasn't going to be Rovers' day and that rang true.

Supporters don't want to hear of hard luck stories, considering the run of form and the stage of the season we're at. Points are all that matter and Rovers need to pick up some wins.

But the last few performances have been an improvement on the early games at Birmingham, Cardiff and Swansea. They've been good value against some decent sides and it does feel like they're improving.

The question is whether they can improve enough to get over the line considering the opposition remaining. Sunderland on Easter Monday feels presentable with the Black Cats having little to play for.

The goals have dried up. Others need to step up to support Szmodics, who has scored each of their last four goals across the last six matches.

On another day, this could've been a more fruitful day for Blackburn Rovers but the days are running out for them to change their fortune.