Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has pointed to his side's poor defensive record as a key reason as to why they were relegated from the Premier League.

Rovers were condemned to the drop tonight following their 1-0 defeat to Lancashire rivals Wigan Athletic, who secured their own top-flight safety with victory.

Kean, who also said he was "devastated" by the outcome, believes that Blackburn's inability to keep clean sheets proved costly to their survival chances.

"We always score goals, create chances and make a fist of it in the final third. On the other side of it we have not had enough clean sheets," he said.

However, the under-fire Scot refused to question the commitment of his players, which has been doubted by some of the Ewood Park faithful.

"Against Tottenham we felt as if the effort from the lads was being doubted but I think you could see right up until the final second tonight why I can never fault the players effort," he said.

Rovers have conceded 76 goals in their 37 league games this season, an average of two per match.