Listen: Skuse accepts mistakes and a lack of concentration were costly for Ipswich at Blackburn

The Blues started slowly and were 2-0 down after just 15 minutes in Lancashire, with Jordan Rhodes scoring both goals against his former club to secure all three points.

The first came from the spot after Larsen Toure felled Hope Akpan, before the Scottish international headed home from a corner to make it two and complete the scoring.

Town had more of the ball in the second half but struggled to create chances, with Skuse accepting his side’s early mistakes gave them a mountain they were never able to climb.

“It was a tough afternoon, we made it a tough start through our own mistakes and our own lack of concentration and that made it a tough afternoon,” he said.

“We had a bit of a go in the second half but that was more due to the fact they were on a 2-0 and sat behind the ball. We had a bit of room to play but we didn’t really create any chances and it was a very difficult afternoon.”

Skuse took his portion of responsibility for Blackburn’s penalty, as Akpan skipped into the box before being brought down by Toure, but admitted the award was a soft one.

“Soft,” Skuse said when asked for his view on the decision.

“You can see Larsen has put his arms up to say ‘I’ve not touched him’ but the lad played it very well and the ref bought it and gave the penalty.

“You can’t knock the referee, he’s had to give the decision on a split second and he gave the penalty but it’s more the way he got into the box.

“I’ll put my hands up for the first bit, he’s skipped past me a bit easy and it’s left to Larsen to try and make the tackle. The lad played it well.”

The midfielder also praised the performance of goalscorer Rhodes, who won the game for Rovers.

He said: “He’s a top, top player and you can see why clubs are willing to pay top, top money to him to try and take him back into the top league.

“He’s a very good player and he took both his goals very well.”