JACK Payne says Rovers were deserving of their dressing room dressing down from boss Tony Mowbray before battling back to earn a point against Oldham.

Rovers trailed 2-0 at the break having been outplayed by the Latics, but were to end the game disappointed not to win after goals from Charlie Mulgrew and Adam Armstrong.

Two Duckens Nazon strikes had the visitors in front at half-time, with Payne revealing that Mowbray was less than impressed with what he had seen.

The attacker said: “The boss was accurate with what he said at half time. We weren’t good enough and we knew it. He drummed that into us and the focus was fully on the second half and showing a reaction.

“The first half wasn’t good enough. We couldn’t get going, we take responsibility for that. We didn’t keep the ball, didn’t defend well, didn’t attack well and were awful.

“We had them pinned back, scored two good goals but it was just a shame we couldn’t score more, because we had the chances.

“We came out in the second half, were hungry, created chances and got the goals, it’s just a shame we couldn’t get the three points.”

Mulgrew and Armstrong scored within eight minutes of each other to draw Rovers level with 19 minutes to play.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 82nd minute but despite the man advantage, and eight minutes of added on time, Rovers couldn't find the winner.

And Payne added: “When you are 2-0 down at half time and you manage to get a point it is a positive, but we had enough time to get a winner so we are disappointed.

“We feel like that is the sort of game we should be winning. We had a few chances to do so at the end, including myself.

“But at 2-0 down you’d usually take the point and the two teams around us lost, so hopefully we can build on that and get the win on Tuesday at Portsmouth.

“It’s a chance missed to take over Shrewsbury and put the pressure on Wigan, so we are disappointed we only got the one point.

“The fact they both didn’t win, maybe we’ve got away with one there.”

Payne was back in the starting line-up, having been an unused substitute in the defeat at Plymouth Argyle seven days earlier.

He played a central role in the second half, having started on the right of an attacking three.

And the 23-year-old hopes to have done enough to keep his place for tomorrow's trip to Portsmouth as Rovers look to return to winning ways.

“I want to play as much as I can and feel I was able to get on the ball a lot more in the second half, which was nice,” the Huddersfield Town loanee said.

“I always felt the second half was going to suit me more, whether that be playing in the centre or out wide. I like playing with Dacky and I was able to get on the ball a lot more in the second half.

“I have trained with the lads and played enough to know their style of play and they know my play so I’m happy with how things are going.

“From my point of view, I know you always have to work hard in training to get in the team and I hope I’ve done enough today to ensure I remain in the team.

“We have a couple of days to train before Tuesday and I’ll be doing my best to stay in the team.”