Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points from the win over Shrewsbury Town at Ewood Park.

BENNETT BOOST

Elliott Bennett was offered the chance to provide some energy, but technicality, in the middle of the Rovers midfield when preferred to Lewis Travis and Willem Tomlinson.

In an area where Rovers’ options were depleted due to injury, Bennett put in an all-action display which suggests he may be an option moving forward.

Alongside Richie Smallwood they stifled the Shrewsbury midfield trio and denied them the space to operate in which they so usually dominate.

Bennett’s central midfield inclusion also offered Rovers the chance to go with a wide striker in Dominic Samuel who troubled Omar Beckles all afternoon, giving them more of a goal threat.

And with the likelihood of another wide player joining this window, it could be a role that he could fulfil more moving forward.

PENALTY CALLS

Referee John Brooks was at the centre of the action all afternoon and did little to appease the Rovers fans.

He failed to send off Beckles after two yellow card offences before awarding the Shrews a contentious penalty when it looked as if David Raya won the ball.

Toto Nsiala clattered in to David Raya from a high ball, another challenge which went unpunished, while Smallwood seemed harshly dealt with throughout.

When Dominic Samuel was flattened by Dean Henderson that seemed the opportune moment for him to redeem himself to the home fans, but only after an age, and a discussion with the linesman did he award the penalty.

But even that couldn't detract from an excellent afternoon for Rovers.

CLOSING THE GAP

After three draws within their last four games, the gap between Rovers and the top two had stretched to five points.

So this was possibly the best game Rovers could have asked for in their quest to cut that particular gap, as well as that to leaders Wigan who would drop points.

While eight behind with 20 games to go wouldn’t have been insurmountable, it certainly would have left Rovers with everything to do.

But having closed the gap, and maintained their pressure on the automatic spots, Rovers will now look to make that one last step in to the top two for the first time this season.

They can't affect the results of the Shrews now, but the Shropshire side will be well aware of Rovers' presence in pursuit.

MOWBRAY’S HALF CENTURY

The Rovers boss couldn’t have asked for much more from his player on his 50th game in charge.

In their 41st league game under Mowbray, Rovers recorded their 20th win, moving them to 52 points this season and on target for the two points a game average he has challenged his players to.

The next 20 will be equally as important as the 15 towards the end of last season as he tried valiantly to keep Rovers in the Championship.

A quick return is his only priority this time around, and more performances like this would leave Rovers bang in contention.

ARMSTRONG FIRST LOOK

Having scored on his Coventry and Barnsley debut, and netted on his first Bolton start, the pressure was on for Armstrong to continue that run in a Rovers shirt.

Sent on moments after Graham’s strike, he almost scored with one of his first touches, only to be denied by Henderson after being picked out by Samuel’s cut-back.

Tony Mowbray is a fan of a wide striker, as shown by Samuel’s inclusion here and that of Antonsson in recent weeks.

So while not his preferred position, Armstrong could well offer the X-Factor option, and added pace, that Rovers are looking for to help close out games.