Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis felt going with two strikers was ‘the right system’ against Rovers after their 1-0 win at Ewood Park.

In a rare move, the Boro boss partnered Ashley Fletcher and Britt Assombalonga as a front two against Rovers and saw the pair linked up for Assombalonga to score the only goal of the game in the 19th minute.

Fletcher was then brought down by Derrick Williams, as Rovers were reduced to 10 men just before the break.

Boro held on for their first clean sheet of 2019 in the absence of the injured Aden Flint and suspended Daniel Ayala, while fellow defender George Friend was forced off just after the hour mark.

And Pulis said: “I'm pleased that Britt's got the goal, I'm pleased that Fletcher's done well. It was the right system to play against Blackburn whether it's the right system to play against QPR or whoever else we play we have to wait and see but that system suited us today in respect of this game against Blackburn.

“We had 26 shots on goal and only scored one goal and that’s really been our Achilles’ heel since I’ve been at the football club.

“We’ve got to be more ruthless in front of goal. At times we played really well, controlled the game, created chances.

“And when you think of the circumstances - losing Flinty, losing Ayala, then George having to come off - we needed to dig in and work together as a group and that’s what they did.

“Fair play to Blackburn. They worked very hard.

“We’ve had a couple of days to work and talk about it, and you have to get on with things at times. You can’t be bemoaning injuries, suspensions and the run of the ball, which haven’t gone for us.

“You can get a little bit down on yourself but they’ve shown great character. We wanted to be positive here.”