Aynsley Pears admitted Blackburn Rovers felt 'robbed' after the controversial penalty decision that handed Watford a 1-0 win.

Ryan Hedges was penalised for handball after the ball deflected off Vakoun Bayo and onto his hand. Referee Darren England took his time before pointing to the spot, much to the bemusement of those of Rovers persuasion.

John Eustace was adamant it was a 'very poor' decision, whilst Tom Cleverley felt it was the right call. Unsurprisingly, Pears echoed his head coach's sentiments.

He felt that Blackburn were well worthy of a share of the spoils at Vicarage Road and the game was 'ruined' by the penalty decision.

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"It's obviously very tough to take, I thought we played well today and produced a good performance all round," he told RoversTV post-match.

"To concede a goal like that is very difficult to put into words really. Very frustrating, disappointing. We have to move on.

"I haven't seen it back. I just know he's tried to pull out and the referee has given it. Good or bad, everyone seems to think it wasn't a penalty having watched it back.

"That's very frustrating and ruined the game. It was a good game until that point from both teams. It was tight, the ref's given a penalty and it ruined it, to be honest.

"It's hard enough as it is to defend and then you get a decision like that against us, it's tough. It's the game and we have to move on, I hope we get on the right end of a couple at the end of the season.

"We stand here very frustrated to have not got three, never mind one point."

Despite a third successive away defeat, the performance was a lot better than Rovers' last two offerings on the road.

They had big chances when the game was goalless but didn't capitalise on them. Watford only really created one chance, aside from the penalty, and Pears didn't have much to do throughout the 90 minutes.

"It was probably one of my quietest games, even though I conceded. We feel like we were robbed of a clean sheet again today which would have been nice," he said.

"We had good chances in the game, we hit the bar and had other opportunities. We sit here very disappointed and frustrated. 

"Watford are a good team, it's a tough place to come. We put up a very good fight, better than the previous away games, I'd say.

"At home, we have been brilliant. It's a positive display even though we haven't got any points. If we perform like that all season away from home, I think we'll be alright."

The last two games have been a good marker for Rovers' levels against two teams in the top seven of the Championship. Sheffield United, who are fourth, but would be second without their points deduction, are next up at Ewood Park.

Rovers have good memories of the Blades' last trip to Ewood Park, a 1-0 win thanks to a great team counter-attack, finished off by Harry Pickering.

Pears hopes that Rovers can maintain their unbeaten home form and take the positives into a tough game against Chris Wilder's men.

"It'll be a big game, they're all big, aren't they?" he said.

"Our form at Ewood has been rock-solid and we'll hope that continues next week with a good performance and a win.

"I feel like we're scoring goals at home and at the back we're so solid. The back five, midfielders and attackers know what we're doing and that's working. Hopefully, that continues."