Aynsley Pears is confident Rovers can kick on after the international break as they aim to pull away from the relegation zone.

The goalkeeper returned to the side against former club Middlesbrough after missing a couple of games due to concussion.

Pears kept a clean sheet at the Riverside Stadium as John Eustace’s side secured what could prove to be a precious point on the road.

“I think it is a big point,” he told RoversTV. “We looked a lot more solid and were happy with the way we played. The shape was really good and we had been working on that all week.

“It was the first week we have had together to actually spend some time on what we were going to do because the games have come so quickly. It felt good, we just couldn’t get the goal but that is how it goes sometimes.”

The 25-year-old added: “It was nice to be back. The manager had faith in me to put me back in the team, which I appreciate. It was good to play against my old team and keep a clean sheet, I will take it.

“I felt pretty comfortable, I had a few bits to do but nothing major. The lads at the back were brilliant and the lads in front of them were good. All round, I think it was a good performance and we have got to kick on after the break.

“We just need one to go in off our toe-end or something! We need anything we can get at the minute but it will come. We are doing the right things in training and (Saturday) was a positive step for us.”

The result leaves Rovers three points above the drop zone heading into the final block of fixtures of the season.

“I think there is (confidence),” Pears continued. “Last week, we worked on the shape and the lads were all on the same page, we knew what we were doing. If we play like that, we will be fine.

“The fans, coming to Middlesbrough, they were brilliant and you could tell they were behind us from the first minute.

“That really helps us, and I think we are together as a group and a club no matter what goes on. When we are on the pitch, they are always behind us which is the main thing and we appreciate that.”

Rovers have a tough test against promotion hopefuls Ipswich coming up at Ewood Park after the break.

The Tractor Boys currently sit third in the table and are only a point off the automatic promotion spots as they aim to achieve back-to-back promotions under Kieran McKenna.

Eustace’s men also have matches coming up against the likes of Southampton and Leeds before the end of the season.

Pears insists they will go into each game with belief as they battle to keep getting points on the board.

“In this league, you have a chance of beating any team,” he said. “Looking at results in the past few weeks, anything can happen.

“We have got two big games coming up and there is no reason why we can’t get a win or two.”