MARCUS Antonsson admits there was some relief when he found the back of the net in the second half of Rovers’ win at Rochdale.

And the on-loan Leeds United man is hoping that can breed confidence moving forward for the rest of the season.

Antonsson had missed a good chance moments before making it 2-0 for Rovers after 57 minutes with a close range finish.

It was his first goal in Rovers colours, and first since October 2016 in an EFL Cup win for his parent club.

“It feels amazing, I really needed that,” the 26-year-old said of his goal

“It was a big relief to be able to slide on my knees in front of the away fans after the goal.

“It was important for me.

“The fans were incredible, they really helped us and this is what you want as a footballer, scoring goals and winning games in front of the travelling fans.”

When asked if not scoring had been playing on his mind, he added: “I haven’t been happy with my performances, I have been looking for my confidence in the games and in training.

“It was a while ago that I played competitive games and now I have done that, but I still feel that I have so much more to give.

“That goal I think it is only going to help me.

“It’s not just in the box for me, if I am scoring goals then I’m going to be better all over the pitch and in the decisions that I make.

“I think this will be helpful for me.”

The win at Rochdale was Rovers’ third league victory in a row and moves them in to 10th in the table.

And Antonsson says the belief and confidence is growing with every win as Rovers look to make their move up the standins.

He added: “The confidence is growing with every win
“We have a couple on the bounce now and we’re only getting stronger and stronger.
“This hard work we put in on the pitch, we need to put that in every game because it is a hard league.

“It’s good to be at Blackburn Rovers at the moment.

Antonsson was a second half substitute in the win at Bradford City on August 19, before being handed his first start in the Carabao Cup defeat to Burnley four days later.

He retained his place in the starting line-up for the win over MK Dons before the international break, and was once again named in attack alongside Dominic Samuel at Spotland.

With plenty of competition for places, Antonsson knows he must perform when in possession of a starting shirt, and was pleased to reward the faith of manager Tony Mowbray with a goal.

“We have a really good squad,” he said.

“It feels like we have a good quality in the training and when we can do these performances yet still have won by more.
“That’s a good feeling, score three goals, get a clean sheet, and still feel as though you have got more in you.

“It all starts with the hard work and that’s what we need to put in every week.

“It is nice to pay him (the manager) back with the goal.

“As a striker you should score goals and that’s how you help the team and that is the best feeling when you are able to do that.”