Larissa stun Blackburn

Mark Hughes' men played poorly and went down to a deflected Ibrahima Bakayoko shot and a goal by impressive Brazilian Cleyton.

The two strikes came within 60 crazy first half seconds for the Premier League side, firstly when Bakayoko had an opportunistic strike from 30 yards that took a deflection off Ryan Nelsen and dipped under Brad Friedel's crossbar while, on 35 minutes and straight from the kick-off, Brett Emerton committed a suicidal backpass that culminated in the hosts having three men over and Cleyton curling home from just inside the area.

In truth it was not that Blackburn were unlucky or their hosts particularly good; the Lancashire-based side were just plain poor.

Lacking creativity going forward and near-chaotic at the back, they could have gone down further were it not for one world class save from Friedel, who denied Clayton with 20 minutes remaining following an error near the left corner flag by Zurab Khizanishvilli, who replaced the injured Ryan Nelsen in yet more woe for Hughes.

Rovers were already missing their imperious defender Chris Samba after he picked up concussion against Chelsea last weekend, ultimately fielding a second-choice centre back pairing of the Georgian and Andre Ooijer.

To add to poor organisation at the back that saw the visitors go close twice further through one-time Everton flop Bakayoko and Sarmiento, Blackburn lacked imagination and drive going forward, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Benni McCarthy conspicuously absent on their big European night and David Bentley frustrated and booked late-on for an alleged dive.

Blackburn host Larissa in a fortnight having to win by three clear goals to ensure a second round spot.