Simon Eastwood 7

Rovers’ cup keeper retained his place for this league game and made an important early save to deny Robson-Kanu

Adam Henley 8

Kept Raheem Sterling quiet in midweek and continued his impressive form. McCleary made less and less impact as the game went on

Tommy Spurr 8

The left back made a rare appearance at centre half but coped admirably, making one particularly important block from Pogrebnyak

Matt Kilgallon 8

The skipper was the only natural centre back in the team and led by example, getting his head on more or less everything

Markus Olsson 7

Didn’t get forward as much as he might have liked but gave as good as he got against Mackie on the flank

Tom Cairney 6

Started on the right of midfield but made very little impact on the game before being substituted

Jay Spearing 6

Back in the side after being ineligible in midweek, but could not help Rovers get any attacking momentum

Lee Williamson 6

Some stray passes from the midfielder as Rovers struggled to command possession throughout

Ben Marshall 7

The only one of Rovers’ front six who looked remotely like conjuring up a goal and an important goal-line clearance late on

Jordan Rhodes 6

Can sometimes be quite anonymous when the chances don’t come his way, and this was one of those days

Chris Brown 6

Was unable to hold up play in the way his manager would have hoped. Still waiting for that first Rovers goal

Substitutions Paul Taylor (65) for Tom Cairney

Not used Jason Steele, Yann Songo’o, Darragh Lenihan, Corry Evans, John O’Sullivan, Craig Conway