THE question over whether this Rovers team can find the consistency they simply have to acquire if they are to win promotion remains unanswered.

But, my word, you cannot question their character.

The spirit engendered by Gary Bowyer was in evidence again on what was another enthralling afternoon at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Rovers found themselves two goals down at half-time despite the fact they had not played poorly.

Yes the urgency and cutting edge that they displayed in a stirring second half was not there in the first.

But they could still count themselves a little unlucky to be behind.

Little wonder, then, that there was no ranting or raving from Rovers boss Bowyer at the break.

Instead he sent on Craig Conway on for the injured Alex Baptiste, moving Ben Marshall to right back, before he introduced Ryan Tunnicliffe for Lee Williamson.

He got both substitutions spot-on and it was Tunnicliffe, who surely must be handed his full debut in tomorrow’s trip to Rotherham United after another impressive performance off the bench, who scored the wonderfully crafted equaliser 13 minutes from time.

Had Rovers gone on to get a winner then the Hornets could have had no complaints such was the barrage they were subjected to from the moment man-of-the-match Rudy Gestede reduced the deficit.

But while Rovers deserve immense credit for the spirit they showed, they should never have had to fight back in the first place.

Take nothing away from the way Matej Vydra and Daniel Tozser clinically dispatched their chances to put Watford firmly into control.

Both goals, however, were avoidable.

The first came after Rovers got their attempt to play Vydra offside hopelessly wrong and the second came after Corry Evans fouled the Czech striker 20 yards from goal.  

Jason Steele, too, may feel disappointed that Tozser’s admittedly superbly struck free kick beat him at the post he was covering.

Rovers are still searching to get the balance right between defence and attack.

That they have so far been unable to do that this season is a big reason why they have yet to win back-to-back games.

But they are now undoubtedly a side capable of scoring against any team in the Championship – especially when they get their supply right.

With a forward as imposing as Gestede in your line-up you should make no apologies for throwing the ball into the box and that is what Tom Cairney, Conway and Marshall, whose display at right back will have given Bowyer plenty to think about, did time after time after the restart.

Yes you have to mix it up.

But as pretty as some of the football Rovers played in the first half was, they were much more effective after they started going direct against a Hornets side susceptible to the high ball.

That said Heurelho Gomes was the busier goalkeeper in the opening period.

He saved well from Baptiste and Gestede and more comfortably from Rhodes and Cairney.

In contrast his opposite number Steele had just the one stop of note to make, from Odion Ighalo, who had earlier missed a gilt-edged opportunity after a long ball caught out Markus Olsson.

Another pass over the top eventually did for Rovers on the half-hour mark.

But they nearly levelled the contest through Gestede before Tozser before doubled the advantage in the 41st minute.

Watford head coach Oscar Garcia, watching on from the stands after his release from hospital, would have been delighted by his team’s ruthlessness.

But the momentum of the match shifted 23 seconds after the restart when Olsson sent over a terrific cross for Gestede to head home, in emphatic fashion, his fifth goal of the campaign.

From then on Rovers dominated and top-scorer Gestede should have netted again almost instantly after a cross from Marshall dropped into his path.

Wave after wave of attacks followed and Daniel Pudil was fortunate not to concede a penalty when he appeared to turn an Evans cross behind for a corner with his hand.

The Hornets were on the ropes and Gomes, who pushed aside a hooked attempt from Gestede after Shane Duffy knocked down yet another centre from Marshall, tried to stem the tide by time wasting.

When he was eventually booked there were still 33 minutes to play.

But it was not until the 77th minute that Rovers got the goal they had been threatening and that they deserved.

It was worth the wait.

Cairney showed patience and then vision to slip in the overlapping Marshall who showed desire and then composure to stand the ball up for the onrushing Tunnicliffe to head in the first goal of his senior career.

Watford, had they had done all game, remained a threat on the counter-attack.

But if anyone was going to win it, it was Rovers.

And they came desperately close to doing just that two minutes from time.

Firstly Cairney sent a stunning 20-yard free kick on to the top of the bar before Gomes saved from Gestede in the follow up.

The ball was then played back into the box where Rhodes was adjudged to have fouled Gomes in bundling it over the line.

There was still time for one final chance and it came the way of Rhodes.

But after showing strength to hold off his marker and stay on his feet, he was denied by Gomes.