ROVERS went back to basics, to get their League One campaign up and running, quite literally, at Bradford City.

All of the qualities that were missing during the dismal Doncaster defeat were there in spades as they battled their way to a deserved victory.

The huddle co-ordinated by Tony Mowbray at the final whistle, in front of the excellent travelling support, was to symbolise a togetherness that Rovers will need if they’re to achieve their aims this season.

They sacrificed style for substance at times, with the team selection a clear indication that Mowbray was keen to add more mobility to his side.

Having been disappointed with the level of commitment shown seven days earlier, the boss demanded a response. Right from the first whistle Rovers flew out of the traps, competed at every second ball, playing with the competitive edge their manager had called for.

What was arguably the most pleasing aspect for Mowbray however, was the sense of leadership, and ownership, taken on by the players. When Ben Gladwin conceded possession cheaply in the closing stages, captain Charlie Mulgrew didn’t hold back in his assessment of what he had just witnessed.

And there was a sense of the Rovers players mucking in for each other, Richie Smallwood taking a booking in the second half after Elliott Ward was caught out, while Derrick Williams came to the rescue shortly afterwards after a rare misplaced pass from Corry Evans.

These are the kind of things that Rovers will need to repeat on a regular basis to give them the platform for which to show their qualities going forward.

While not at their fluent best, they showed more than enough to suggest they were always likely to nick a goal. Bradley Dack was a livewire, while Dominic Samuel led the line with enthusiasm.

Things may not have fallen Rovers’ way in a first half in which they had two shots inside the opening minute, but it didn’t take them long in the second half to find the goal that would win it for them.

Industrious running from Elliott Bennett allowed Craig Conway the chance to deliver from the left, with Samuel getting across his man to nod in to the corner and send the travelling supporters in to euphoria.

For a 15 minute spell after that, it was one way traffic, Rovers dictating the play, recycling the ball at will, as they looked for that killer second ball.

Despite their territorial advantage, that didn’t come, and with 20 minutes to go, the atmosphere around Valley Parade changed. With nothing to lose, Stuart McCall turned to his bench, sending on three substitutes, including the towering frame of Charlie Wyke.

That lifted a home crowd and from then on in, Rovers had to dig deep to see the game through.

And to their credit, a few nervy moments in which the ball bounced around their six-yard box, and two loud penalty appeals for handball, they saw the game out in a professional manner.

It was interesting to hear the characteristics in which Mowbray praised in his post-match interview, saying: “The players left nothing in their legs, they gave everything, and found the energy and drive to show the supporters how much they care. I asked for 100% effort, graft and commitment and I think that's what we got.”

Rovers have now laid down a marker, and set the standard, for the level of commitment that they must continue to show to thrive at this level.