Alex Neil says he will accept the flak for Preston North End's defeat to Blackburn Rovers

The Lilywhites turned in as poor a performance as they had done for a long time, with Rovers thoroughly deserving of their victory.

Joe Rafferty was sent-off on the stroke of half-time for bringing down Sam Gallagher in the box when the Blackburn man was through on goal.

Adam Armstrong scored from the resulting penalty, with Ben Brereton and former PNE scholar Tyrhys Dolan going on to net in the second half.

North End's attacking play was limited to say the least, although Neil was left to lament the fact their best chance of the game - a shot from Daniel Johnson which was blocked - led to Rovers breaking on the counter and winning the penalty from which they opened the scoring.

Neil said: "The game took shape the way I expected it to. We have found it difficult to build from the back because of the people who have been missing of late, we don't have any natural balance in the team.

"The four lads at the back are all right-footed and we are a transition team at the moment, that is where we are with what we have got.

"The disappointing thing from our point of view is that when they had the ball for the majority of the first half, our shape was okay.

"We knew the problems they would pose with Armstrong dropping off and the two wide forwards rolling in and occupying our back four.

"That meant it was difficult to play a lot of pressure on the ball.

"Their penalty comes on the back of us having the best chance of the half. DJ got the ball on his left foot and you expected him to open up the goal and go for the far post.

"It was a disappointing effort but we had enough bodies behind the ball and then within three passes they get up the pitch and Joe doesn't get across and read it quick enough.

"It ends up that Gallagher runs past him and instead of fouling him earlier in the move, he waits until the lad hits the box - it's a penalty and a red card which just makes it even more difficult.

"From that point it is hard enough applying pressure on Blackburn with 11 men, never mind 10.

"What I didn't want to do is be too aggressive and leave ourselves exposed.

"We just lacked mobility for some of the goals."

When the second goal went in, Neil explained there was an element of damage limitation rather than chasing the game.

And for that, he would shoulder the responsibility.

Neil said: "For the second goal, Patrick Bauer is our middle centre-back and came stepping out. Just leave the guy on the ball, let him shoot from 25 yards rather than allow him to make the pass.

"It is just a poor decision. Once it goes 2-0, some of the players were making noises about getting up and going after it.

"I was saying you couldn't get it well enough with 11 men, so my task sometimes is to try and protect you - I will take the all the flak for that which is normal.

"I do believe that if we went after the ball it would be more damaging for us."

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