In the heat of a promotion race it matters little how the points arrive, just that they do.

Rovers looked set to maintain their lead at the top of League One with a comfortable, and impressive, victory courtesy of a fine first half showing.

But after the break they had to scrap it out and fight to the end to hold on to what was a slender advantage after Walsall hauled themselves back in to it with a goal just before the break.

Danny Graham set Rovers on their way with goals number 14 and 15 of the season, and 150 and 151 of his career.

Tony Mowbray’s side were without their talisman Bradley Dack, ruled out through illness, which would affect both Graham and Elliott Bennett at half-time.

The pair had a devastating effect on the game in the first half, Graham at times unplayable in the view of Walsall boss Jon Whitney, while Bennett was afforded oceans of space down the Rovers right.

Although Bennett overhit his 17th minute cross, Adam Armstrong kept it alive with a fine touch, with his delivery falling to the feet of Graham who couldn’t miss from six yards out.

Rovers stated their intentions from the whistle, winning a corner inside 30 seconds, and their fast start was rewarded again nine minutes later. In a pocket of space, Jack Payne swept the ball wide for Bennett and got on the end of his cross, nodding it in to the path of Graham who found the bottom corner as Rovers were cruising.

As in the game at Ewood Park, Graham’s knowhow proved too much for a naive Walsall backline, but the similarities with last month’s meeting were to continue just before half-time.

David Raya punched a left-wing corner in to the path of George Dobson whose thumping volley across goal was turned in by Jack Fitzwater.

That handed the Saddlers a lifeline from nowhere with Rovers having gone within inches of a 3-0 lead moments before. They sprung a quick counter-attack, Payne finding the onrushing Armstrong whose run began just inside his own half.

But Liam Roberts was to get a fingertip to his effort, diverting it on to the crossbar and the danger was cleared.

Rovers were flat after the break, hanging on at times, and were forced to withdraw Graham just after the hour after himself and Bennett were ill at the break.

Unable to find a third goal which would have killed off the contest as they did in their Ewood meeting, Rovers were pegged back as Walsall sensed an opportunity.

Raya came up with two big saves, denying Erhun Oztumer’s 20-yard free-kick and then Julien Ngoy.

Sensing the need to change Mowbray made three substitutions within 17 minutes. The final one, Amari’i Bell for Jack Payne was an indication that Rovers were happy to hang on to what they had.

And how important it was they did given their three nearest rivals would keep up the pressure with wins of their own. To Rovers’ credit, the switch to a back three condensed the space and meant there was no real siege towards their goal in the closing stages that Walsall had threatened.

The scenes of jubilation as the players made their way over to celebrate with a terrific sold-out 2,800 away following showed just what the victory meant.

Twelve games remain, Rovers one point clear of Shrewsbury, who refuse to go away, and three of Wigan.

The games remain tight, Rovers edging over the line and it was very much a case of job done.

They will need to rest up and prepare for another long trip to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday as the schedule, and pace of the teams of the top, remains relentless.