John Eustace insisted Blackburn Rovers' fate is still in their own hands having missed the opportunity to secure their Championship status.

Rovers were beaten 3-1 by Sheffield Wednesday at Ewood Park on Sunday, meaning their battle to avoid relegation continues for another week.

Josh Windass' early opener put the away side in the lead before Sam Szmodics equalised before the ten-minute mark had been passed.

With the game very much in the balance at half-time, Rovers struggled to take the game to the visitors, who scored twice in quick succession to win the match.

READ MORE: Rovers ratings as Pears costly error proves decisive

Marvin Johnson put Wednesday back in front before the pivotal moment in the match knocked the stuffing out of Rovers, with Aynsley Pears' own goal making it 3-1.

Whilst Pears' error will take the headlines, Rovers were second-best across the pitch after the interval. They did not show the same level of resilience as produced at Elland Road the week before.

Eustace felt the timing of those goals influenced the performance but wanted to focus on Rovers still having their own fate in their own hands.

"I thought in the first half, we were well in the game," Eustace said.

"We bounced back from an early goal, we showed character and I thought we controlled the first half pretty well.

"I thought we controlled the first half, we conceded very early, we showed good character to bounce back. Second half, the way we conceded the goals was very disappointing.

"We were too loose, we didn't chase back quick enough. They punished us. 

"The third goal, we can't do anything about that. It's a tough one to take. It's disappointing, we have a magnificent chance next week and everything is still in our hands.

"It's disappointing we have lost but that's football. Last week we bounced back from a difficult defeat, we showed togetherness and then got three points.

"It's important we show that togetherness again and bounce back next week."

Eustace insisted Pears will not need rallying around after his mistake, which is part and parcel of football. He is confident that, after the contrasting emotions of the previous week, Rovers can bounce back against Coventry City.

"Everyone is very disappointed. We had the highs last week and the lows this week. Nobody will get carried away.

"Aynsley made a mistake, that's it. He needs to focus on the team and we have a close-knit group. Everyone knows that when someone makes a mistake there is no problem, it's part of the game.

"We have a week to rally around, get people together. It's part of the game, we're disappointed and this group will stick together."