Jason Steele 8

A virtual spectator until he denied Daryl Murphy on the stroke of half-time but thereafter made a trio of important stops to keep Ipswich at bay

Adam Henley 8

Tireless shift up and down the right flank was so nearly rewarded in the second half when he was denied one-on-one by Dean Gerken

Shane Duffy 8

Kept Daryl Murphy, the division’s leading marksman last season, under lock and key. Hardly lost a ball in the air and made countless key clearances

Grant Hanley 8

Nearly gave a goal away late on when attempting to shepherd the ball out of play but it was another commanding display

Markus Olsson 8

Linesman’s flag denied the marauding left-back his second goal for Rovers on what was his 100th appearance for the club.

Ben Marshall 8

The winger produced his best performance of the season. His workrate, like the rest of the front six, was prodigious

Hope Akpan 8

Won the penalty from which Jordan Rhodes opened the scoring with one of a number of driving runs into the Ipswich danger areas

Corry Evans 8

Continued his excellent form, nearly setting up Rhodes for his hat-trick and later played an ever better pass through to Henley

Craig Conway 8

Had to settle for one but easily could have ended with a hat-trick of assists after swinging over a series of inviting deliveries

Tom Lawrence 8

Showed what an intelligent player he is but it was his work without the ball that most impressed. Received a deserved standing ovation

Jordan Rhodes 9

Another two goals and, had it not been for the post and a fine save, it could have been four. Outstanding centre-forward’s display

Subs

Lee Williamson for Lawrence (90)