We're back on track

After Saturday's dismal showing at Portsmouth, Hughes was pleased with the way his players bounced back against the Toffees, although a late equaliser from Tim Cahill denied Rovers all three points on the night.

"We're disappointed because we felt that over the length of the game, we were certainly the better side this evening," said the Rovers boss.

"But at the end of the day, from our point of view, we'll take the positives out of it because I think it was a much better performance than the one we gave at the weekend, so we're happy enough with that.

"Ideally, we would have preferred three oints rather than one but, overall, the performance level was more at the level I expected it to be at the weekend so I've got to be pleased."

Rovers looked on course for a morale-boosting win when Benni McCarthy marked his home debut with a well-taken goal.

But Everton never gave up and their resilience was finally rewarded in the 84th minute when Cahill pounced to net his team a point.

"We had chances, certainly in the first half, and a number in the second as well," reflected Hughes.

"You need to take the chances when they present themselves but, apart from the last 15 or 20 minutes when Everton started throwing balls into our box, I never felt we were in any danger of losing the game."

Hughes later admitted Rovers were lucky not to concede a penalty just before Cahill's equaliser when Andy Todd appeared to shove Andy Johnson over in the area, but referee Uriah Rennie chose not to give it.

"I have to say my initial thought was it could well have been a penalty but I've not seen it again since so I can't really say one way or the other," said the Rovers boss.

"It was a genuine claim but the referee decided it wasn't and he had a better view than I had so you accept that.

"In the end, these things even themselves out anyway."