ROVERS have had too many false dawns this season to know that you can’t mess with momentum.

So, while it was refreshing to see Owen Coyle name such a strong side for the FA Cup third round tie at QPR in a climate of rest and rotation, the Rovers boss will have been well aware how his side could ill-afford to waste yet another chance to put together a good run of form, despite no league points being on offer at Loftus Road.

An away trip to a team five points and places better off in the league may not have been the most glamorous of ties to be pulled out of the hat, but Rovers will hope that victory can present them with much more than simply the potential prospect of a plum tie in round four.

They will now be hoping to continue the upward curve they appear to be on at the start of 2017 in to a run of games which, on paper at least, appears to present the chance to pick up points and climb away from the trouble in which they find themselves.

Only six weeks agp they chalked up a similar three game unbeaten run with two wins and a draw, one which saw Coyle nominated for the November manager of the month award.

On that occasion however, they were heading in to a much more difficult run of fixtures, as it proved with four consecutive defeats.

But while no games in the Championship come with any guarantee of points, as Newcastle have found to their peril against Rovers, they could well be moving in to a pivotal point of their season.

With 21 games left, here represents a chance for Rovers to shape their season. 

Pick up some valuable points in the coming weeks and they could well be able to rest that bit easier going in to the closing weeks of the season.

January is usually known as the moving month, typically for incomings while the transfer window is open.

But while things look quiet on that particular front for Rovers as the opening week of the new year ticks by, they must see this as an opportunity to climb the table ahead of games against Ipswich and Birmingham before they break again for the FA Cup fourth round on the final weekend of the month.

However, failure to do so could well see them involved in a relegation dogfight until May.

While the scoreline may not have the look of a comfortable away-day win, the 2-1 margin of victory somewhat flattered the hosts.

Rovers rarely looked in any real danger of throwing away a lead they took in the eighth minute courtesy of Joel Lynch’s own goal.  The defender was unfortunate to turn in to his own goal after Sam Gallagher had seen his header saved following good work by Elliott Bennett.

They doubled their advantage just before the hour when Liam Feeney tapped in from close range after Gallagher had seen another effort saved.

Any hopes of a comfortable run to the finish line, and the chance to blood some more of the club’s promising youngsters, were dashed somewhat however, by the soft-looking penalty awarded by Simon Hooper just moments after Feeney’s goal.

Jake Bidwell stroked spot-kick home, sending David Raya the wrong way, but despite that, it was with relative ease in which Rovers progressed in to the next round.

Jordan Cousins fluffed a late chance as the hosts went in search of earning a replay, but the visitors’ new-found defensive resistance helped them see the game out.

The point at Huddersfield, and win over Newcastle, were built on a defensive resilience, and taking one of the few chances which came their way.

Here there was a much better balance between attack and defence, helped by the counter-attacking threat brought about by lively performances on the flanks from both Feeney and Bennett.

Gallagher always looked to have too much for the QPR central defenders, and he was unfortunate not to end the day with his 10th goal of the season.

So Rovers head in to round four, and hopefully a better second half of the season.

All eyes will be on ball number six in Monday’s draw.