ROVERS midfielder Darragh Lenihan has urged his teammates to continue showing the team spirit that earned them a vital three points at Brentford.

The academy graduate hailed the togetherness shown by Rovers at Griffin Park in difficult circumstances.

Having had captain Grant Hanley sent off early in the second half, Paul Lambert’s side dug deep and remained resilient as they claimed all three points when Shane Duffy scored a brilliant winner three minutes from time.

And Lenihan, who has become a regular for Rovers under Lambert’s stewardship, hailed the team spirit on show, both on the pitch and off it, as players raced to join in with Duffy’s manic celebrations in the away end.

“It was unbelievable. It’s a great feeling,” he said of the victory.

“To be down to 10 men and put in the effort we did, it was just an amazing moment when Duffy put that ball in the net.

“In the last few minutes we stuck together and showed our team spirit and hopefully we can show that team spirit for the next few weeks.

“To lose any player is a big test, but especially if it’s Grant Hanley, our captain and one of our main players. But we just dug in. We worked hard, we stayed organised and luckily Duffy’s finish was tremendous.”

And Lenihan, who has made 18 of his 22 appearances for the club under Lambert, dedicated the victory to the supporters, who have suffered some difficult days following Rovers on the road recently, with the win in West London Rovers’ first in the league away from Ewood Park since the 2-0 success at Bristol City on December 5.

“It was one for the fans, not only those who travelled all the way down, but also the Ipswich game, where we were disappointing,” said Lenihan.

“It was one for them. They deserved that. And the celebrations showed that.”

Lambert has been full of praise for Lenihan’s emergence since he took the Rovers job, and the Republic of Ireland Under-21 captain revealed the boss had given him some private words of encouragement that had delighted him.

“At half-time of a training match against Preston North End, the gaffer told me I reminded him of a young Roy Keane,” said Lenihan, who scored an own goal as the Republic’s youngsters were beaten 4-1 by Italy on Thursday night.

“That was pleasing to hear because, as a Manchester United fan growing up, Roy Keane was my idol. The gaffer is great to work under. He won the Champions League playing in midfield for Borussia Dortmund and so gives me plenty of tips on how to improve my game.

“Last November, before he was appointed, I wasn’t even getting on the bench. It has all happened overnight, to be honest.”

And Lenihan has now set his sights on recognition at senior international level, with his U-21 compatriot Jack Byrne, of Manchester City, training with Martin O’Neill’s side this week.

“Seeing Jack train with the seniors this week gives you belief,” he said.

“I’m still only 22, though, and can’t be getting ahead of myself,” he said.