Elliott Bennett says Rovers should not lose sight of how far they have come in recent months despite the disappointment of dropping two points against Wigan Athletic.

Bennett’s second goal in as many matches, adding to Adam Armstrong’s opener, looked to have set Rovers on their way to three points at Ewood Park.

But two second half strikes saw the Latics hit back and leaves Rovers with a five point lead at the top of the division with 10 games remaining.

A run of just one defeat in their last 25 games has taken Tony Mowbray’s side to the summit, something Bennett says shouldn’t be overlooked.

He said: “Although we didn’t get the three points on offer, we didn’t lose the game. It’s another point on the board and another point in the direction we want to go.

“From where we’ve come from, how we’ve clawed back the points from four or five months ago, it’s quite magnificent.

“Wigan have got games in hand, everyone knows that. Shrewsbury also have a couple of games in hand, but that doesn’t equal points. We’ve got the points on the board and I’m sure they’ll be looking at their games in hand and hoping to close the gap.

“We’re still in charge of our own destiny, as it were. We have the points and need to make sure we keep putting in performances and keep being committed.

“We need to get on the horse and look forward to next week’s game.”

Goals from Armstrong and Bennett saw Rovers take a 2-0 lead in to the break. But two strikes in eight second half minutes from Will Grigg and Max Power saw Wigan hit back and earn a share of the spoils.

Rovers had done something similar a month earlier, coming from two goals behind to earn a point against Oldham Athletic at Ewood.

And Bennett says the third goal in the game was always going to be pivotal to how the second half played out.

He added: “It’s disappointing to have been 2-0 up and then concede two goals in the second half to get a draw. It was a good, competitive football match.

“If we’d been 2-0 down and brought it back to 2-2 then there would have been jubilation, so we have to move on and take the point.

“If Charlie’s free kick goes in towards the end of the half then it’s 3-0 at half time and a completely different game.

“The first goal in the second half was going to be a big turning point and unfortunately for us they managed to get it and then get the second.

“The goal gives them the encouragement to keep going forward, particularly when attacking towards their fans, who were starting to make a bit of noise.

“You see it happen all the time in football. The tide of the game changes when teams 2-0 down get the goal back.”

Bennett’s goal against AFC Wimbledon on February 27 ended his 10 month wait for a goal and he backed that up with a well taken strike against the Latics.

He won the club’s goal of the season prize with a long-range strike in an FA Cup win over Blackpool at Ewood Park last January.

Two divisions separated the clubs on that occasion, but they meet as League One equals this weekend, with Bennett wary of the threats the Seasiders possess.

“It’s good to score, but obviously disappointing that we couldn’t take the three points from the game,” the 29-year-old said.

“It won’t be an easy game. They carry a threat, like every team in the division does. They won at Wigan the other week so we know we’ll have to be at our best.”