Blackburn Rovers produced a response against Coventry City but didn't get the win they craved to end this season of torture.

Rovers' Championship safety will depend on results next weekend, with the fight for survival taken to the final day of the season. It was a scenario that everyone at Ewood Park wanted to avoid.

Supporters leaving Ewood Park will feel split after what they saw in the second half. Rovers undoubtedly produced a reaction after the disappointment of losing to Sheffield Wednesday and yet, it was also a massive opportunity missed.

To play against ten men for half an hour and not win the match, when three points would've ended any doubts about survival, is a kick in the teeth.

READ MORE: Why Eustace was sent off and Rovers' verdict on Coventry draw

But if they played that 90 minutes another ten times, they would come out as winners eight or nine times. Rovers created more than enough chances but were not clinical enough in the big moments.

They had an astounding 30 attempts on goal. 10 of those were blocked by Coventry players, who threw their bodies on the line and didn't resemble a team chucking in the towel with little to play for.

Whilst the first half was a more subdued affair, Rovers did have chances. The best fell to exactly the man they'd have hoped for but, for the first time this season, Sam Szmodics fluffed his line. Even the best can miss big chances and he should've scored after Brad Collins rebuffed Tyrhys Dolan's drive.

Coventry looked threatening in attack. Hadji Wright was a constant outlet and clearly didn't realise how much time he had when he tamely curled into Aynsley Pears' gloves when through on goal. But they did look loose at the back; the team had a rather end-of-season feel about them.

Sat inside Ewood Park at half-time, I felt Rovers had contained Coventry well but the game didn't feel like there was as much jeopardy as there was. Everyone had more to give; the players and the Ewood Park crowd too.

Almost instantly after the half-time whistle, that intensity inside the ground lifted. Rovers started on the front foot and the fans responded. Suddenly, Ewood felt intimidating and right behind the team, kicking towards The Blackburn End.

Even before the red cards, Rovers had the ascendency. Sam Gallagher headed just wide from Harry Pickering's cross and then John Eustace's red card shortly after lit a fire inside the ground.

Without seeing a replay, the dismissal felt unnecessary, to be honest. It was in front of the press box, centre of The Jack Walker Stand, and it looked like nothing more than handbags. A yellow apiece would've sufficed, in my opinion.

Despite losing the presence of Eustace on the touchline, the sense of injustice lit a match under the game. Coventry's red card then added further fuel to the flames, with Liam Kitching dismissed for a last-man challenge on Gallagher, which felt like the right decision watching live.

Rovers did everything right in the second half, apart from score. They played with width, moved the ball quickly and sustained attacks. The Blackburn End did their part and really got behind the team too. Everyone felt united inside Ewood, which hasn't always been the case.

Yasin Ayari's introduction on the hour played an important part. He was excellent at looking after the ball and adding pace to Rovers' passing. I would argue it's the best performance from a Rovers substitute this season.

He came close to scoring three times, twice from the edge of the box and once at the back post from a corner. Tyrhys Dolan hit the inside of the post and more loose balls bobbled around but wouldn't land. It was one of those days.

Coming away from Ewood Park, you'd be pretty happy at any other stage of the season. But the fact Rovers played for 30 minutes against ten men, who had nothing tangible to play for, could be haunting if the final day doesn't go to plan.

To be honest, though, the inability to finish teams off at Ewood Park has been an issue all season, Rovers ended their home campaign with only six wins, a meek effort compared to their home form last season. In 2024 alone, they have registered one home victory, despite playing six of the bottom eight.

Supporters can look back at previous results and feel aggrieved that the team didn't produce. I think on Saturday they were genuinely unfortunate but the time has passed for anything other than points.

At least the defence looked far more assured and solid than six days ago. Pears and the his team-mates bounced back, marshalled by the excellent Kyle McFadzean, who was man of the match against his former club.

As I tweeted in the week, I think he is worth another year. He won't start every match but he offers the team leadership and flexibility, plus this season has proven they need five senior centre-backs.

So Rovers fans will have to endure another week of mental torture. Another week of build-up, question marks and uncertainty. But it will all end at Leicester, one way or another.

It would be a big help if Ipswich could do Rovers a favour by handing Leicester the title before Saturday. I don't subscribe to the notion that the Foxes will roll over if nothing is on the line but a few extra days of celebrations won't hurt Rovers' chances.

Once again, it is in Rovers' hands, as it has been all season. If they are to go down, it would be appropriate if they do so without being in the bottom three all season, which would metaphorically represent the missed opportunities.

My gut feeling is that Rovers will survive, whether they lose or not. But it should never have come to chance. Ultimately, a point will do the job. They must match the result of Birmingham City, Plymouth Argyle or Sheffield Wednesday to survive.