Blackburn's hopes of European football next season were all but extinguished in an uninspiring 1-1 home draw to Tottenham.
Frequently second best to a fluid Spurs outfit Mark Hughes's side struggled to make any impact in a game played between two teams destined for mid table obscurity.
The visitors took a deserved lead after only six minutes when Rovers static defence allowed a Jermaine Jenas cross to find Dimitar Berbatov for a simple tap-in.
It could have been worse but for a fine save from Berbatov by Brad Friedel as Spurs began to make Blackburn look pedestrian.
David Bentley skipped past Pascal Chimbonda and his cross was prodded home by Morten Gamst Pedersen.
The second period produced much of the same with Spurs still dominating but unable to convert their superiority into goals.
In fact in the last minute Bentley had a good call for a penalty as he was impeded bursting into the penalty area but that would have been harsh on Tottenham had it been given.
The Rovers boss not surprisingly felt it was a spot kick.
"Yes it was a definite penalty. David burst through from midfield and the lad just stood in front of him and moved his leg to ensure he didn't get past.
"At the minimum it should have been obstruction but that wasn't given either.
"It was a little bit disappointing as we had fought to get back on level terms.
"We didn't start off brightly and Tottenham had the better of the opening half as we never managed to put any pressure on the ball.
"We gave their good players too much time and space and they simply picked us off in that opening period.
"Once we got on level terms the goal stirred us and the second half was more even and we began to create chances.
"The penalty was a critical decision as we also felt our front two were penalised too easily by the referee.
"Overall though I think it is a feather in our cap to remain above a good Tottenham side in the league that have spent a lot of money strengthening their squad."
