SKIPPER Charlie Mulgrew revealed there was a fierce intensity within the Rovers dressing room ahead of the win over Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

Mulgrew felt Rovers’ attitude proved decisive in the win which leaves them just two points outside of the automatic promotion spots with 20 games remaining.

The Scot scored twice, to take his tally to 11 for the season, as Rovers made it a 15th league game without defeat.

And he believes the impact of central midfield pair Elliott Bennett and Richie Smallwood shouldn’t be underestimated as Rovers restricted Shrewsbury to just just three shots on target.

He said: “You could feel that (intensity) in the changing room and there’s been a lot of games like that, so we need to keep it going.

“Full credit to the lads, it was a great result for us.

 “Everyone was up for it, you could see that.

“The two midfielders were brilliant in front of us and everyone seemed to win their battles.

“It was a great attitude and if we continue playing like that then we won’t be far away.”

The win saw Rovers close the gap to the second-placed Shrews to two points after it had grown to five over the festive period.

And the 31-year-old added: “The three points were massive for us, we knew that it wasn’t going to make or break our season but it’s brought us closer to Shrewsbury.

“We have to have another 20 of those (performances). We had a great game-plan and the boys battled through magnificently.”

 Mulgrew put Rovers ahead with a 13th minute free-kick before wrapping things up in the second half from the penalty spot after Dominic Samuel was fouled by Dean Henderson, adding to Danny Graham’s second.

The visitors levelled in the first half through a controversial penalty, and Mulgrew said: “Getting in front gave us a lift but we knew there was a long way to go.

“We had the setback, we thought the penalty was a bit harsh. I was right next to it and I thought David got two hands on the ball and that’s one of those things, you have to pick yourselves up and go again. We did that in the second half, had a sticky spell at the start but we came through it. Goals change games and we’re happy to have got them.

“The third goal gave us a cushion but there was still a long way to go.

“The attitude from the boys was brilliant after that and the boys who came on did well.”

On his 50th start for the club, Mulgrew moved away from his usual spot for penalties, opting to go to the goalkeepers’ right, rather than left, after a stuttered run up.

But he says that wasn’t something pre-planned as he scored his fourth spot kick of the season.

“I saw the keeper move early and put it in the other side,” he revealed.

“Each penalty I forget what I’ve done before and look forward and I knew there was a lot of pressure on it and it was up to me to step up and take responsibility and thankfully I scored.

“I’m happy to have scored the goals but I’ve said before we have to keep clean sheets as well.

“I take a lot of pride in that so as happy as I am that I’m scoring it’s about the team and winning games.”

Rovers could climb into the top two for the first time this season if they win at Fleetwood on Saturday and Shrewsbury fail to beat Doncaster.