Hughes has urged Rovers to bounce back from their Uefa Cup loss

Bayer's use of delaying tactics annoyed the home crowd, while the players' frustrations resulted in a late melee.

Hughes was also spoken to by the Spanish official at one point and the Welshman said: "There was time-wasting, theatrics and unnecessary stoppages.

"I was disappointed the referee allowed it to happen for so long."

Interview: Blackburn manager Mark Hughes

However, Hughes admitted it was his side's poor finishing, and not the referee's performance, that ultimately cost his side their place in the competition.

"The referee isn't the reason we were beaten over the two legs, we made too many errors," said the Welshman.

We held them off and, because of the first match, we deserved to go through Leverkusen coach Skibbe

"We had a couple of gilt-edged chances that we needed to put away and didn't so that's it. Now we must push on in the league to qualify again next term.

"It's not to be our year but we've enjoyed this campaign. It has been good for us and for the development of the players.

"We've struggled of late because of the injuries we've had but we'll learn from this and be a better team."

Keeper Brad Friedel added: "We lost the tie in the first leg. We were far too open for a European away leg and conceded too easily.

"We needed Benni McCarthy or Shabani Nonda to take their chances to go through but it wasn't to be."

And Bayer Leverkusen coach Michael Skibbe insisted his side deserved to go through, saying: "There was a big fight from both teams and Blackburn put us under a lot of pressure, putting in a lot of crosses.