Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points from the win at Fleetwood Town.

DOMINANT OPENING

Rovers deserved the victory over the course of the game, mainly down to an opening 45 minutes in which they were totally dominant.

They enjoyed almost 70 per cent of the possession, hit the crossbar, passed up several good openings, while only had Bradley Dack’s 28th minute goal to show for it.

They penned in the hosts who struggled to get out of their own half and the Rovers players operated with a swagger which demonstrated how much they are enjoying their football of late.

As they know all too well, while-ever they don’t have that killer two goal cushion the game is never safe, but their ability to turn to matchwinners off the bench means they have the capabilities to keep on coming at you.

A DAY OF FIRSTS

Before the game Tony Mowbray had averaged 1.9 alterations per game and he was the only manager in the EFL not to name an unchanged team.

It was a run that stretched 35 matches in all competitions, but all changed when an hour before kick-off Mowbray said: ‘same again’.

And there could be few complaints at that given Rovers were coming off the back of a season’s best performance, and result, in the win over Shrewsbury Town.

The second first came at 5pm when the full-time whistles blew around the grounds as Richie Smallwood’s late winner, coupled with Doncaster Rovers coming from 2-0 down to take a point at Shrewsbury, saw Rovers move in to the automatic promotion spots.

NYAMBE’S IMPROVEMENT

There are few names that Tony Mowbray calls out during a game than that of Ryan Nyambe.

Keen to coach the 20-year-old through the game, and often the player stood nearest to the boss, Nyambe’s game has come on leaps and bounds of late.

He has added a more attacking element to his play, receiving possession in and around the halfway line before driving in to the opposition half has become something of a trademark.

His pace and strength make him a tough man to stop in full flight and while his use of the ball at times lets him down, his performances have been of a marked improvement.

ABSENT FRIENDS

While Rovers were able to name an unchanged side, and with plenty of strength in reserve, it is worth remembering just who they were without.

Darragh Lenihan, Amari’i Bell, Corry Evans, Peter Whittingham, Harry Chapman, Ben Gladwin and Marcus Antonsson were all missing from the matchday 18 and will only strengthen that on their return.

The ability to add quality additions in the January transfer window was an area in which Mowbray felt his side would have the edge over their rivals.

And the competition for places at the club will only help drive that desire and determination which has been the cornerstone of their unbeaten run.

TWISTS AND TURNS

Rovers started the day five points behind leaders Wigan two behind second placed Shrewsbury.

They ended the day with still that gap to Wigan, but drawing level with the Shrews to jump above them in the table courtesy of a better goal difference.

For a short spell in the first half when Wigan trailed 1-0 to Plymouth they were within two points of the Latics, but after Connor McAleny’s equaliser, they slipped to four behind the automatic promotion spots.

But moments after Doncaster had drawn level in Shropshire, Rovers took full advantage with Smallwood’s late winner.

Expect something similar for the remaining 19 games.