IT IS sometimes they games that won’t live long in the memory, the ones that won’t stand out in the end of season DVD that can form the backbone of a promotion bid.

Rovers have been guaranteeing goals of late, 20 in their seven outings prior to welcome Charlton Athletic to Ewood Park. But it was their old friend, a clean sheet, which they were to rely on during a second half in which they were made to toil hard by a Charlton side who pumped ball after ball in to their box.

Tony Mowbray said he had felt uncomfortable at the way Rovers had been grinding out 1-0 wins earlier in the season and admitted a mentality shift had been behind their recent goal gluts. But when the fireworks don’t spark at one end of the pitch it’s always good to have a strong backbone on which to fall back on.

There has been a clear frustration in the Rovers camp at the unnecessary late goals they have shipped on their travels of late but a ninth shut-out of the campaign was the foundations on which a sixth consecutive victory parade was built.

David Raya came of age as time and again he flew off his line to claim aerial balls and denied Ben Reeves with excellent saves either side of the break. And while it wasn’t the free-flowing football we have enjoyed of recent weeks, the winning feeling was just as satisfying.

As was seeing Leon Best head in to his own net four minutes after coming off the bench. His arrival was greeted with boos but there sarcastic cheers, and chants, thereafter as it was his head which diverted Charlie Mulgrew’s free-kick in to corner of Ben Amos’ goal.

The afternoon could well have been a lot more comfortable had Derrick Williams not contrived to miss from three yards out as a trademark corner routine of a Bradley Dack inswinger flicked on by Marcus Antonsson at the near post almost worked to perfection once again.

They were to lead at the break however only after Raya guessed right as Ben Reeves shot goalwards from inside the area after Best had momentarily wriggled free of Mulgrew who lost his bearings after competing for a high ball.

And Raya was to then deny both Charlton attackers with a fine double save, first flying across to his right to palm away Reeves’ curling effort which looked destined for the bottom corner and then getting quickly to his feet to keep out Best’s follow-up, not knowing the linesman’s flag was raised.

However, despite their territorial dominance, and the growing nerves around Ewood Park as Rovers began to sit deeper, there was still a feeling of confidence that Mowbray’s men would be able to see the game out. And what great scenes were to greet Danny Graham’s late goal, with Raya sprinting the length of the pitch to join the celebrations, typifying the close bond that is growing by the week.

The experienced striker’s goal, his third in four outings, owed much to the endeavour of Joe Nuttall who battled his way in to the box before standing up a delicious cross which meant Graham couldn’t miss from six yards.

There is a feeling that something good is building, different players contributing each week with players coming off the bench to have an impact on the game.

Graham and Nuttall were both involved in the second goal while Willem Tomlinson again showed that he is more than capable of performing at this level and his pass of the match with 10 minutes to go could have seen Rovers seal the game earlier than they did, only for Conway to drag his shot wide of the far post.

As Rovers have shown of late, there are more than one ways to win a football match. The more you are able to do, the more chance you have got.

The run goes on.