SAINTS Women boss Remi Allen was disappointed that her side failed to "exploit" their opportunities in a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

Farah Crompton scored a first half winner for Rovers in a game which Saints dominated from start to finish.

For all of their possession, Saints were unable to truly test Blackburn's Alex Brooks as the visitors sat back and defended well.

A disappointed Allen told the Daily Echo: "It's frustrating but we weren't at the levels that we needed to be at. They've had one shot and scored. They were clinical.

"We weren't. We didn't create enough and didn't have that bit of quality in the final third. It's disappointing.

"It was just one of them. The connection and the detail were slightly off today when we could have hurt them.

"There were opportunities and we didn't exploit them. You get punished in this league if you're not clinical.

"Credit to them, they executed their game plan really well. Blackburn were never going to come and high-press us.

"They sat in their block and worked really hard out of possession. We didn't move them enough or switch to hurt them. It was a bit slow and passive at times."

One positive for Saints was goalkeeper Kayla Rendell returning to the squad having missed the start of the season through injury.

The England youth international underwent surgery over the summer, forcing her to sit out the first two games as she continued her recovery.

Rendell was named on the bench as Fran Stenson kept her starting spot having saved a penalty against Sunderland the previous week.

"It's great to have Kayla back in the squad," Allen added. "She keeps training and pushing, we are lucky to have her back fit."

Saints return to St Mary's on Sunday to face Sheffield United, who have lost all three of their games so far this season.

Ash Thompson's side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday having also lost to Charlton and Durham.

Looking ahead to that game, Allen concluded: "It's nice, we want games to come thick and fast. We have a chance to put things right, hopefully, we will.

"We have got good strength in depth. We are still trying to find our way with new players. What we had in the previous two games was to have resilience.

"It's not panic stations, we have to gather ourselves and go again. We will review this defeat and then look at Sheffield United."