TONY Mowbray and the Blackburn Rovers fans will have seen plenty to be pleased about from the head coach’s first game in charge.

The start of the Mowbray era couldn’t see Rovers find that elusive win as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Burton Albion but there were positive signs.

Rovers dominated the first-half and deservedly led at the break courtesy of a Matty Palmer own goal.

They would end the game more likely to find a winner, but had to settle for a point after Marvin Sordell’s strike early in the second half had brought the home side level.

The result leaves Rovers two points from safety in the Championship with 14 games of the season remaining ahead of a run of three consecutive home fixtures.

Mowbray may have had just one full training session to work with the players, but his stamp on the side was there for all to see early on.

There was a fluidity to Rovers’ play with interchanging of positions but also a hunger to win the ball back high up the pitch.

The opening quarter was all Rovers, with Burton unable to lay a glove on them as Mowbray’s men passed the ball neatly.

Chances weren’t too forthcoming, with the Brewers resolutely defending their 18-yard box.

The closest Rovers came was when John Mousinho almost put a Liam Feeney cross in to his own net.

It was incessant Rovers pressure, but the worry was that they didn’t have anything to show for their dominance.

They needed to beware of over-playing and Burton’s first shot of the game, which was well off target, came when Lasse Christensen robbed Danny Guthrie of possession.

But in the 31st minute, Rovers got reward for their bright start.

Charlie Mulgrew’s in-swinging corner got a slight nick off Palmer and that was enough to send the ball beyond his own keeper and into the net.

Craig Conway, making his 100th Rovers start, went close to doubling that advantage five minutes before the break when he collected a Marvin Emnes cross, and on the turn fizzed a shot just over the bar.

Rovers went in to the interval deservedly in front, but were always likely to come up against an improved Burton side in the second period.

Nigel Clough’s men upped the ante and threatened an equaliser just three minutes after the restart, only for Matty Palmer to fire over from the edge of the box.

The leveller did come though courtesy of Marvin Sordell’s stunning 25-yard strike nine minutes after the re-start as he curled an effort beyond the grasp of Steele.

Murphy followed that with an effort from a similar distance which forced Steele to react, as Rovers’ good first-half work threatened to come undone.

In need of a spark, Mowbray made three changes in quick succession, as Lucas Joao, Sam Gallagher and Connor Mahoney were sent on.

It did prompt a turning of the game in the away side’s favour with Rovers finding pockets of space in and around the Burton area, but Conway twice saw shots blocked.

Mahoney, looking to make an instant impact, then forced a good save out of McLaughlin when his jinking run ended with a fierce shot being turned behind.

That was to be the start of heavy Rovers pressure, urged on by the near 1,500 travelling fans.

Gallagher was next to go close, only able to turn Derrick Williams’ cross in to the arms of McLaughlin.

But Rovers were not able to find a breakthrough as Burton hassled and harried more than they had in the first half.

There was plenty of pressure from Mowbray’s men but no clear chance.

Indeed it was the hosts who nearly won it when Christensen saw an effort hit one post, then the other, and staying out.

So Rovers enjoyed a slice of luck in the end, and how they would welcome a change in fortunes.