The Hatters’ Championship survival hopes suffered a huge blow after Yuki Oshahi’s second-half goal earned Blackburn victory at Kenilworth Road.

In a game of few chances, the crucial moment came seven minutes after half-time when the Japanese striker tucked a shot past former Rovers keeper Thomas Kaminski.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men when full debutant Kristi Montgomery was sent off for a second bookable offence just five minutes later.

With a man advantage, the Town tried to restore parity but their best chance came with 14 minutes left when Thelo Aasgaard’s rasping shot from 18 yards crashed agonisingly off the underside of the crossbar.

Despite 10 minutes added at the end of the 90 the Hatters could not force an equaliser and the full-time whistle signalled a crushing defeat to leave the Town three points from safety with four games to play.

After the last-gasp point won at Stoke on Tuesday night, hopes were high against a Rovers side who had not won in their past eight games – losing to Cardiff, Stoke, Portsmouth and Derby.

With Tuesday night’s goal hero in the Potteries, Millenic Alli, making his first home start, the forward almost snuck a goal inside the first minute only to be off target in the six-yard box.

The Town had to wait until the 24th minute for their next chance when Aasgaard’s low first-time shot was blocked by the Blackburn defence.

As the Hatters pushed for the opener, Mark McGuinness sent a bullet header over the crossbar following Jordan Clark’s free-kick just before half-time.

After the break opportunities continued to be hard to come by for the Town and, seven minutes into the second period, their task got tougher when Rovers took the lead. The Hatters appealed for offside as Ohashi latched onto Ryan Hedges’ slide-rule pass but the striker ran through and slotted past Kaminski.

Matt Bloomfield immediately threw the dice, making a triple change with Teden Mengi, Reece Burke and Josh Bowler introduced.

The Town, however, received a lifeline with 32 minutes left on the clock when Montgomery was red-carded for a second bookable offence when hauling back Alli.

With a man extra for over half-an-hour, the Hatters pushed in a bid for leveller – but try as they might an equaliser proved elusive.

On 76 minutes, they came mighty close to finding one when Aasgaard slalomed beautifully past several Rovers players before crashing a shot off the underside of the crossbar.

It was an effort that deserved better but as time began to tick down, the visitors dropped deeper and the Town could not find a way through a sea of bodies.

Off target efforts flew frustratingly wide as nine minutes were added. McGuinness’ header dropped wide in the 94th minute before Alli saw a deflected effort come back off the face of the crossbar in the 99th minute.

Play continued for two more minutes but Mengi’s low shot was the final chance of the afternoon, and the Town were left to reflect on a disappointing afternoon.

With four games to go the gap to 21st place is three points. In 21st place are Derby. Where we go to on Good Friday. We’ll see you then.

Keep the faith.

Town: Kaminski; Jones (sub Burke) 56), Alli, McGuinness, Makosso (sub Mengi 56), Bell; Walsh (sub Nordås 73), Clark, Aasgaard, Chong (sub Bowler 56); Morris (sub Nelson 85)

Subs not used: Krul, Naismith, Nakamba, Fanne.

Attendance: 11,552, including 970 in the away end.