CORRY Evans admits Rovers must smarten up when defending set plays so not to not keep dropping points.

David Ball scored a last minute equaliser for Rotherham on New Year’s Day to deny Rovers a winning start to 2018 after leading through Bradley Dack’s 10th goal of the season.

It was the second time during the festive period that Rovers conceded from a corner, having done so in the 1-1 draw at Northampton Town.

Peterborough United also profited in the game on December 9 and although the Northern Ireland international felt Rovers defended well against the MIllers, he admits it was disappointing to concede so late on.

“It was a sucker punch from the set play,” he said.

“They got the first contact and David Ball sneaks round the back to poke it in.

“It’s something we have to get better at, it’s happening quite a lot now where we have conceded goals from set pieces and we have to address it and try and put it right for the rest of the season.

“The lads were disappointed to lose a goal so late on.

“I thought we defended pretty well and kept their efforts to a minimum and especially after taking the lead I thought we were going to see it out.”

It was a third draw in four games for Rovers, added to their Boxing Day win over Rochdale at Ewood Park.

Evans, recalled to the side for the New York Stadium trip, says the confidence remains high given their 18 match unbeaten run in all competitions and wants to ensure Rovers keep up the pressure on the top two.

He added: “It adds confidence and you have that mentality where you go in to games and even if you don’t win you know you’re going to come away with a point.

“It’s nice to keep it going but we would have obviously preferred to have won.

“We put high expectations, particularly away from home, to come and win games.

“When you do draw games sometimes it does feel like a defeat because you put the pressure on yourselves to win it.

“We need to keep picking up points to keep up the pressure and keep breathing down Shrewsbury and Wigan’s necks.

“Wigan drew the other night and we didn’t capitalise on that but there’s still a long way to go.

“We will keep chipping away, putting points on the board and keeping the pressure on and breathing down their necks.”

The 27-year-old has been in the wars of late having been forced off in the win at Peterborough with a knee injury which required stitches.

He was subjected to a late tackle moments before the final whistle at Rotherham with Tony Mowbray revealing the midfielder to have sustained a ‘horrific’ injury to his back following a late tackle from Will Vaulks which went unpunished.

Of the incident, Evans said: “I’ve got a scar right up my rib cage to show it.

“The referee said he didn’t see it or think it was a foul, so these things happen.

“I just need that bit of luck. I came on at Peterborough, lasted 10 minutes and then had to get stitches in my knee which wasn’t ideal.

“It’s been a bit stop-start since then so hopefully this is fine and I can be available for Saturday.”