Tony Mowbray says Rovers had to show all facets of their game as they recorded a 2-1 victory at MK Dons.

A first half double from Adam Armstrong had Rovers in full control as he took his tally to nine goals in his last nine games.

But after Peter Pawlett reduced the arrears with 17 minutes to play, Rovers were forced to hold on courtesy of some excellent defending and important saves from David Raya.

Over the course of the 90 minutes, Mowbray felt his side deserved the victory, adding: “They have been doing that all year – we don’t go and blow teams off the park every week.

“There are a lot of good footballers and good coaches in this division so we have to be respectful.

“There’s no real overconfidence from this team, they know that hard work, grit and desire and hopefully the quality at the top end of the pitch we can hurt teams.

“Every team has to be solid and build from a defensive stance.

“I think we deserved to win the game, I think the dominance first half was there.

“I think (Dominic) Samuel should have finished the game with five minutes to go.

“Teams are going to have a goal, they got a goal, their tails were up, they had nothing to lose, that’s football and you have to deal with that.

“Great credit to the other side of the game we showed. The first half we looked like we could score lots of goals and then showed the other side, putting your body on the line, lots of blocks and the keeper making saves, defending with everything you’ve got to see the game out.

“Happy enough, it was another game we had to tick off and we need to keep going.”

Rovers scored two excellent goals, Armstrong finishing off flowing moves as Danny Graham claimed assists for both goals.

MK Dons had come in to the game having claimed 10 points from their previous four games, but pleased to record a 24th success of the season, Mowbray added: “It’s what the team expect and I expect.

“We came here knowing they were in good form, they had won three and drawn one of their last four having previously won one in their last 18.

“Dan (Micciche) has got them going, they have a confidence about them, a bit of swagger and we had to see that off.

“I thought we did first half and second half they showed they’re a good team and will take points off teams.

“I’m sure they will be okay this season.”

Armstrong has netted nine times since joining on loan from Newcastle United in January.

That has included nine in his last nine games following his brace at Stadiun:MK.

Mowbray had worked with the 21-year-old previously at Coventry City in 2015/16 where the England youth international netted 20 times.

Of the goalscorer, Mowbray added: “It’s no surprise to me, I had him at Coventry where it felt like he scored every week.

“I’m happy for Adam, psychologically it must have been tough for him.

“He’s been at Newcastle since he was a baby, it has never quite happened for him.

“He’s on fire now, you feel as if he can score every game and when you have a Dack, Graham and Payne around him then there should be goals.

“We’re happy, we have to keep going, happy for the supporters that made the trip and we have to look forward to Saturday now.”