BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes admitted Rovers got exactly what they deserved at Everton on Saturday as they slumped to a third successive away defeat.

James Beattie's 33rd minute goal turned out to be the winner at Goodison, even though Rovers played against 10 men for 81 minutes following the early dismissal of rookie keeper Iain Turner.

A despondent Hughes said: "We didn't really deserve to get anything out of the game after we let ourselves go behind to a team that was down to 10 men. We switched off and conceded a bad goal.

"We were going against 10 men, but they were determined to protect their lead and Everton were resolute and we couldn't break them down.

"James Beattie up front was excellent, he messed us about and we never really tested a fourth-choice 'keeper, which is the disappointing thing for us.

"It was a game that was there for us (to win) and it was a big opportunity missed."

Rovers looked to be on course for a third straight win at Goodison after Turner's ninth minute dismissal appeared to swing the game in their favour.

But then a mistake from Lucas Neill led to Beattie scoring with a free header, and Everton's 10-men defended doggedly after that to protect their advantage.

"Lucas Neill has accepted the blame for the goal, he said he was trying to organise other people when he should have been doing his own job," said Hughes.

"He's put his hands up, but it shouldn't have happened.

"We were unable to come back after that in what was a game I felt we should have been able to win.

"I thought the crowd were excellent for Everton and, in fact, they became their 11th man and drove them on.

"Fair play to them, they worked extremely hard and, on the day, they deserved the three points."

Even with their numerical advantage, Rovers rarely tested reserve team keeper John Ruddy, who was thrust into the spotlight following Turner's early dismissal but barely had a save to make.

"We never really tested their back four. In fact, they were in a very comfortable position.

"We had plenty of possession, as you would expect, but we never created any clear-cut chances."

Hughes was also angry with the referee, Peter Walton, who added on just three minutes at the end of the game, even though Everton had persistently wasted time during the 90 minutes.

"I felt a lot more time should have been added on," said the Rovers boss.

"There were six substitutions and he booked one of their guys for time wasting. But he didn't seem to add that on."

After three successive away defeats, Hughes must now pick his players up quickly ahead of Wednesday night's home clash with Sunderland.

He added: "We haven't enjoyed the last three away games. We haven't produced anything like the form we know we are capable of.

"But we have got an opportunity to get three points at home to Sunderland on Wednesday and I expect a better performance."