TONY Mowbray welcomed a ‘big three points’ for his side as they moved in to the automatic promotion places with a win at Fleetwood Town.

Richie Smallwood scored with six minutes to go to ensure a 2-1 victory for Rovers after Connor McAleny equalised Bradley Dack’s first-half opener.

Rovers were good value for their win after a first half in which they thoroughly dominated.

“They are all big three points,” Mowbray said.

“I think it would have been hard on us had we not got the three points today after the performance in the first half.

“We almost shot ourselves in the foot by giving them a goal but I think we deserved it over the piece.

“I thought it was as controlling as we’ve been away from home this season.

“They had one shot straight at David’s midriff but apart from that they didn’t get near our goal.

“A massive part of their game is set plays and free-kicks and they didn’t get the opportunity to get any corner kicks because they weren’t in our half.”

An error from Charlie Mulgrew handed substitute McAleny the chance to equalise, as he pounced an underhit backpass to level the game 11 minutes in to the second period.

And Mowbray added: “There were a few errors in there.

“Derrick (Williams) played it too hard to Charlie, Charlie could have played forward rather than back to the keeper who was caught in no man’s land.

“It’s frustrating but in the end it didn’t matter.

“We’re disappointed to lose goals, it’s important for the team to keep clean sheets but it’s another tricky hurdle out of the way.”

Rovers were denied what looked a strong shout for a penalty when Dominic Samuel was sent tumbling by Gethin Jones.

And Mowbray said: “There were a lot of shouts today, I think I fell out with the fourth official.

“As you get older you understand, what’s the point arguing with the officials about penalties.

“It looked pretty clear cut to me. Never mind, it doesn’t matter.

“We’ve won the game and sent an amazing away support home happy and hopefully full of confidence.”