Adam Armstrong thanked the travelling Newcastle supporters for their ovation in the FA Cup third round replay at Ewood Park.

Armstrong was substituted in the second half and was applauded off by the Magpies supporters, just as he was in the first game at St James’ Park.

The 21-year-old brought Rovers back in to the game with his seventh goal of the season in front of the Darwen End.

Rovers were eventually beaten 4-2 after extra time as Newcastle set up a fourth round tie with Watford.

On his reception, Armstrong, a boyhood Newcastle fan who also came through their Academy, said: “That’s Newcastle fans through and through.

“I am one myself, and it was a nice feeling to score. It was a goal to get us back in the game so I tried to get the ball as quickly as possible and go again.

“But we have to put the game behind us and move on.”

Rovers fought back from 2-0 down and looked the more likely to score a third goal before the game ticked in to extra time.

A controversial goal from Joselu, quickly followed by an Ayoze Perez strike, eventually put the game beyond Rovers.

And Armstrong added: “It’s a disappointing dressing room but I think the lads gave it everything we’ve got against a Premier League club.

“It was a dodgy start, the first goal took a massive deflection.

“Everyone put in the effort and the lads played a lot of minutes. Going to extra time isn’t nice, but we switched off, and they punished us.

“The performance showed how far we’ve come. Last season we got promoted from League One and now we taking a Premier League team all the way. We know we need to kick on.

“We now just need to put it behind us and get three points on Saturday.”