Blackburn Rovers suffered another setback in their pursuit of the Championship play-off places on Sunday afternoon, as they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Derby County at Pride Park.
After a bright start from Tony Mowbray's side, Rovers fell behind to a stunning long-range strike from Louie Sibley 26 minutes in, before the Rams doubled their lead when Chris Martin tapped home from close range after Christian Walton could only parry a shot from Graeme Shinnie.
Rovers continued to struggle to make an impact in the second half, and their frustration was compounded when Martin converted from the penalty spot after Elliott Bennett brought down Jason Knight inside the area with five minutes remaining, before substitute John Buckley was sent off in stoppage time for a late challenge on Curtis Davies.
That result means that Rovers now sit tenth in the Championship table, three points adrift of the play-off places, leaving Mowbray with much to think about heading into the final nine games of the season.
Here, we take a look at three things we learnt about Blackburn from that heavy defeat at Pride Park.
The end of Darragh Lenihan's suspension will be a huge relief
With the end of Sunday's defeat at Derby, came the end of Darragh Lenihan's two-match suspension recently received for picking up ten bookings this season, and it is already clear to see that the Irishman's return to the side will be a massive boost for Rovers.
In Lenihan's absence - and with fellow centre back Derrick Williams out through injury - right-back Ryan Nyambe has been moved into a more central position, with Elliott Bennett filling in on the right-hand side of defence.
That is something that, sadly, did not work at all for Rovers at Pride Park, where both Nyambe and Bennett struggled defensively, leaving Blackburn badly exposed down that side of the pitch, something Derby were able to take advantage of in terms of keeping Mowbray's men pinned into their own half.
The return of Lenihan for the visit to Ewood Park of play-off rivals Bristol City on Saturday will restore a commanding presence to Rovers' backline, while allowing Nyambe to return to his natural right-back position, where he ought to both be more comfortable defensively, and pose a greater threat in an attacking sense, meaning this is a boost that - after the disappointment of Derby - feels like it can't come soon enough.
Ben Brereton hits another setback
Right now, it is hard not to get the feeling of one step forward and two steps back when it comes to Ben Brereton.
Following some encouraging cameos from the bench in recent weeks, it was perhaps no surprise to see Brereton given his chance from the start on Sunday, particularly with the problems his pace ought to have caused a Derby side who had been in FA Cup action against Manchester United just a few days earlier.
That however, would ultimately fail to materialise at Pride Park, with Brereton squandering a big chance to put Rovers ahead from close range early in the match, and while he did show plenty of willingness to run with the ball, there was a seemingly frustrating lack of end product from the striker.
As a result, it was perhaps no real surprise to see Brereton withdrawn with around 20 minutes remaining, and you have to feel to that that, combined with his performance, suggests that this is another opportunity to stake a claim for a regular starting place in the side that has come and gone for the 20-year-old.
The full cost of Rovers' injury problems lay bare
Already on several occasions during the second half of this season, the loss of the talismanic Bradley Dack to injury has been clearly felt by Blackburn, and it wasn't just his attacking instinct Rovers appeared to be missing on Sunday.
Throughout much of the course of the 90 minutes at Pride Park, there was an overwhelming sense that Rovers were allowing Derby way too much time to make runs through the middle of the park, again pinning them back into a defensive position, and highlighting the loss another of their long-term injury absentees.
Corry Evans has yet to make an appearance for Blackburn since being stretchered off with a serious facial injury suffered in January's draw with Preston, and that absence was keenly felt this weekend.
Had Evans' controlling presence been available to Rovers on Sunday, it is hard to imagine that with his willingness to put in a tackle and chase an unlikely cause for his team, Derby would have been afforded anywhere near as much space or possession in the Blackburn half, which would likely have allowed Mowbray's side to dictate play to a greater extent, and consequentially given them a much greater chance of coming away with something to put towards their race for a top-six spot.