Rovers must become cuter if they are to convert comfortable positions in to winning margins away from home.

This season of re-adjustment to life back in the Championship has shown they are more than competitive, sitting in the top half on merit.

Tony Mowbray knows his side will need to evolve technically if they are to sit among the Championship’s top table over the course of a 46 game season, and this was something of an example.

With a little more care in the final third they could easily have walked away with all three points, and not a frustration of just being one.

The game swung in Rovers’ favour 21 minutes in when, after being robbed of possession by Bradley Dack, Boro midfielder Mo Besic pulled the attacker back and denied him a clear run on goal.

While the decision was a while in the making, following consultation between referee Simon Hooper and his assistant, the right call was eventually made and Besic sent off.

Boro, boasting the best defensive record in the division, were never going to be the easiest side to break down, even with 10 men.

But Besic had barely made it off the pitch before Rovers took the lead as Mulgrew curled the resulting free kick round the wall and out of reach of Darren Randolph.

Rovers, looking to score more than once away from home for the first time since September, would surely have had a second goal before the break were the roles reversed when Corry Evans turned wide from close range after Danny Graham’s shot had been saved.

It was just a one goal margin for Rovers at the break, a third time this season in which a Mulgrew set piece away has seen them lead at half time in away game.

And again, much like the previous occasions at Bristol City in September and Swansea in October, they were oh so comfortable.

While goals in the first half have been a problem at Ewood, with just two in 10 attempts, it is the second half in which Rovers have struggled on their travels. And how important they knew a second could be here.

It almost came via the boot of Dack, who after a move he expertly started with an excellent cross-range pass, struck the base of the post from the edge of the box, before Craig Conway was denied on the follow up.

They were made to pay almost instantly.

Boro boss Tony Pulis had gambled, making all three of his substitutions by the time the second half kicked off. And it worked as Britt Assombalonga curled in a superb equaliser from the left corner of the box from a Jordan Hugill knockdown.

Hugill could have levelled himself just after the re-start were it not for the efforts of Mulgrew to get back and put in a last-ditch tackle after the striker had evaded the offside trap.

Rovers were then faced with the task of trying to break down a mean defence who now had something to hold on, while at the other end being subjected to an aerial bombardment from any throw-in within 40 yards of their own box.

And while Mowbray’s side continued to get in to excellent areas of the pitch, their use of the ball was found wanting.

While Randolph saved unconvincingly from a Harrison Reed dipping effort, they should have been celebrating three points, only for Adam Armstrong, after a touch of Dack magic, opted to take a touch when in on goal eight yards out, allowing the covering defender to clear.

There was even time for Assombalonga to go close at the other end. After Paul Downing misjudged a long ball, the striker lifted the ball over the advancing David Raya, only for a relieved Rovers defender to get back and clear.

Having led at the half time seven times on the road this season, Rovers have come away victorious on three occasions. This was a golden chance to make it four, were it just for that bit more care.