THE 2-0 defeat in Volos a fortnight proved to be too much of a mountain to climb as Rovers crashed out of the UEFA Cup at the first round despite winning the tie at Ewood Park 2-1.

Needing a 3-0 victory to progress, their task was made almost impossible when Larissa increased their advantage when Cleyton Silva fired the visitors in front, to give them a 3-0 aggregate lead.

Matt Derbyshire and Stephen Warnock got the goals either side of the break to give Rovers the lead and hope, but there was to be no way through, as Giorgos Donis's side held on with comparative ease.

Speaking on Radio Rovers after the game, Mark Hughes admitted that the tie was pretty much over after the first leg: "Yes it is frustrating, but if we are honest over the two legs we have given ourselves far too much to do.

"In the first leg we conceded two poor goals and the goal tonight wasn't one we were very impressed with.

"Fair play to the lads we kept going, we won the game and that is a positive to take into the game at the weekend, but we are disappointed obviously as we have enjoyed our games in Europe."

The Rovers boss paid tribute to the opposition who put in another impressive performance against Rovers and deserved their progress through to the group stages of the European competition.

"Larissa are a decent side, they have pace in good areas, they were always a threat on the break and it was always difficult to over-commit because of that threat in behind.

"We just needed, when we threw a few guys forward, for something to break for us and then we could have built some momentum and then possibly do it.

"But good luck to Larissa, they played well over the two legs, but as I said we gave ourselves too much to do.

"We always knew we could score at least two goals against them but if we hadn't conceded the poor goal that we did then it could have been all set up for a grandstand finish. But their goal gave them great heart and something to protect and towards the end they just got everybody behind the ball and it was very hard to get the space to create anything in the final third.

"We're disappointed, but we need to learn from games like this, European teams set you different problems and in the future we'll be better."

Rovers have little time to reflect on being knocked out with Birmingham City the visitors to Ewood Park in the league on Sunday.

"We're straight into the Premier League at the weekend so our aim is to get back into Europe as soon as we can," added Hughes.