SAM Allardyce was delighted with the defending that saw Blackburn Rovers claim their 11th clean sheet of the season at Portsmouth.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson returned from his calf injury, while Phil Jones and Chris Samba continued their impressive partnership in the heart of the defence.

“We have 11 clean sheets now, so we are well on the way to giving us the platform to always be a mid-table side,” said Allardyce.

“There are five games to go, so I expect us to get one or two more and that is a great foundation to be in the top half.

“From our point of view you have to get the other end right to match it up and away from home we are a long way from matching that up, otherwise we would have four or five away wins already this season and this is another one that has slipped away.

“We should have been more clinical and more ruthless and unfortunately we weren’t so they have a very, very creditable point out of this ahead of their semi final next week.”