ROVERS midfielder Peter Whittingham admits it was a case of a missed opportunity as they led twice only to draw 2-2 with Scunthorpe United.

Danny Graham netted a goal in either half but Rovers were pegged back by the Iron as they slipped to three points behind the automatic promotion spots.

Leaders Wigan were held at home by Charlton prior to Rovers’ draw with Scunthorpe, but the gap remains at five points.

“We knew it was a big opportunity for us after seeing how Wigan got on,” Whittingham said.

“But it’s another point for us, another game unbeaten and we will take it from there.

“We’re going to be disappointed not winning games, we’re Blackburn Rovers and we should be winning games.

“But we played well, dominated the game and another day we win comfortably.

“I think we have to take the positives from it and we played well, passed the ball around and create a lot of chances against what is a good outfit and a good team.

“So we will take the positives from that and the games come thick and fast so three points on Monday and this will look like a good result.”

Whittingham said there were errors leading up to the mistakes which saw Rovers concede twice against the Iron which in the end proved decisive.

However, a second draw of the festive period, having been held by Northampton Town on December 23, means Rovers have extended their unbeaten league run to 12 games.

They are yet to taste defeat in their previous 17 games in all competitions and Whittingham believes there is reason to be optimistic moving in to the new year.

Whittingham added: “We’re in really good shape.

“The squad here is pretty unbelievable so it will cope well with the games coming thick and fast.

“It’s up to the boys that come in and that the boys that are playing to keep going and keep picking up three points.

“There’s not much turnaround but they (Rotherham) are in the same boat as us, it’s not as if they have had a week to recover either.

“We’re in the same boat and three points is a must.

“They’re on a good run, it’s always going to be tough but we played well against Scunthorpe and it’s going to be difficult on Monday but we will keep plugging away and keep going.”