Jason Steele 7

On his first return to his former club the keeper did not have a save to make until injury-time when he showed a safe pair of hands to gather a long-range effort from former team-mate Jordan Rhodes.

Ben Marshall 7

Was more than a match for England winger Stewart Downing, got forward when he could, and it was from his free kick that Hope Akpan wasted a golden opportunity late on.

Elliott Ward 8

Produced an excellent performance for the second match running, the composed defender was once again also a threat at the other end, having a first-half goal ruled out for offside.

Grant Hanley 8

Like his centre-back partner, the captain was rock-solid, going toe-to-toe with Middlesbrough’s forwards and using his deceptive pace when they tried to get in behind.

Tommy Spurr 7

Coped with the threat of Albert Adomah before he was replaced by Rhodes, the left-back made some important interceptions and blocks while offering width.

Corry Evans 8

Operating at the base of a midfield diamond that Boro struggled to get to grips with, the Northern Ireland international played intelligently, keeping and using the ball well.

Darragh Lenihan 8

Improving all the time, the tenacious young midfielder saw one shot saved and another deflect agonisingly wide before he set-up Jordi Gomez’s opener with a clever pass inside.

Hope Akpan 6

Got through an awful lot of hard work and performed diligently until he tired late on when he defended poorly for the equaliser. Should have made amends at the death.

Jordi Gomez 8*

Whipped over a wonderful free kick which Ward thought he had scored from before setting-up Tony Watt for a chance he should have converted. The playmaker’s debut goal was a peach.

Tony Watt 7

Should have made it two goals in two games but, like the rest of his team-mates, never stopped driving forward and never stopped trying to make things happen.

Danny Graham 7

Like on his debut, the striker did not go close to grabbing his first goal for the club, but the role he played was an important one, getting Rovers high up the pitch and bringing team-mates into play.

Subs 

Simeon Jackson for Watt (74)

Elliott Bennett for Gomez (83)

Not used

David Raya, Matt Kilgallon, Chris Taylor, Shane Duffy, Craig Conway