By Jonathan Stevenson

Blackburn's David Bentley (right) tussles with Georgios Fotakis

Blackburn's hopes of reaching the group stage of the Uefa Cup suffered a hammer blow as they lost their first round, first-leg tie against Larissa.

Rovers were poor throughout and Larissa punished them when former Everton striker Ibrahim Bakayoko lashed in a deflected effort from 30 yards out.

Soon after they doubled the lead, some calamitous Blackburn defending leading to Cleyton slotting past Brad Friedel.

Friedel saved from Georgios Fotakis and Cleyton as Larissa dominated the tie.

Interview: Blackburn boss Mark Hughes

It means Blackburn have it all to do when they entertain the Greek Cup winners at Ewood Park in two weeks' time.

They will have to improve beyond all recognition if they are to stand any chance of progression after a truly inept display from beginning until end.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Blackburn's Uefa Cup performance

Bakayoko, who had an unsuccessful season with Everton in 1998-99, was in lively mood and he had an early cross-shot thumped clear and then later sent a tame header into the arms of Friedel.

Rovers went close to taking the lead themselves when Benni McCarthy chested down a long throw inside the six-yard box, only to see his acrobatic overhead kick fly straight into Marco Foerster's face.

But in the space of 75 seconds, Blackburn's hopes of reaching the group stage suffered a double hammer blow.

Just after the half-hour mark, Bakayoko stole the ball from Morten Gamst Pedersen, turned neatly and struck a searing drive that took a slight deflection and flew over Friedel and into the net.

Blackburn were shell-shocked and their bad dream soon turned into a full-blown nightmare when Emerton gifted Fotakis possession and inadvertently sent the forward clear.

Friedel saved Fotakis' effort, Ryan Nelsen blocked Bakayoko's follow-up and, with the Rovers defence in meltdown, the ball fell to Cleyton to arch a left-foot shot into the corner from 12 yards.

Hughes endured a frustrating evening in Greece with Blackburn

If Blackburn boss Mark Hughes was trying to put himself in the frame for the Chelsea job, his charges were not doing him many favours.

Rovers just could not get going and they were only spared a third by a fine Friedel save from Fotakis' curling, swerving 25-yard free-kick at the start of the second half.

Luck continued to go against Blackburn as captain Ryan Nelsen was forced off before the hour mark after pulling up with what looked like a hamstring problem.

Zurab Khizanishvili replaced him and the Georgian had to be alert almost immediately to throw himself in front of Bakayoko, just as the Ivorian was pulling the trigger.

It was all Larissa and again Bakayoko escaped down the right, this time his pinpoint pass picking out Cleyton, who saw a goalbound left-foot drive blocked by the legs of Friedel.

Blackburn offered next to nothing in attack - they will need to carry a much greater goal threat in the home leg if they are to stay in European competition.

"Up until now we have shown quality and energy, but they were missing tonight. We have left ourselves a lot to do.

"I'm sure against Portsmouth on Sunday our performance will be a lot better, but tonight is a mystery to us."

Larissa: Kotsolis, Foerster, Katsiaros, Dabizas, Galitsios, Kiriakidis, Cleyton (Kalantzis 86), Sarmiento, Fotakis, Alexandrou (Gikas 77), Bakayoko (Venetis 90).
Subs Not Used: Kipouros, Boukouvalas, Bahramis, Kozlej.

Booked: Katsiaros.

Goals: Bakayoko 33, Cleyton 35.

Blackburn: Friedel, Ooijer, Warnock, Nelsen (Khizanishvili 57), Emerton, Savage, Bentley, Pedersen (Derbyshire 62), Dunn, Santa Cruz, McCarthy (Kerimoglu 79).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Mokoena, Olsson, Roberts.

Booked: Warnock, Bentley.

Att: 8,126.