JASON Lowe believes he is beginning to reap the benefits of the extra work he has put in on the training ground to make him a more complete midfielder.

The 22-year-old felt he played within himself last season and has been working overtime at Brockhall in a bid to show he is more than just a trusty shield in front of the back four.

Lowe’s efforts behind the scenes so nearly paid off in Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Charlton Athletic when he went within a whisker of scoring his first goal for Rovers.

The England U21 international spearheaded attacks and got beyond the strikers as Gary Bowyer’s side tried to force an equaliser.

Lowe, for the second successive home game, was rewarded by being named man of the match.

The final result took the shine off the award but the Wiganer was pleased the improvements he is making are being recognised.

Lowe said: “I feel really good this year.

“My confidence is there and I just want to keep getting better and better.

“I’m working on my game a hell of a lot, and certainly on the attacking part, so hopefully I can keep pushing forward and keep on improving.

“It’s something I’ve always been brought up to do.

“Last year I felt I was holding back a little bit in there and not playing to my capabilities with the ball.

“I’ve worked on it, I’m going to continue to work on it, and I want to get better and better and have a good career, like any professional.”

Lowe went as close as anyone to dragging Rovers level on Saturday when he saw a 20-yard shot deflect inches past the post.

“I hit it quite well to be honest but just as it left my foot I heard it got a nick and that’s what took it past the post,” said Lowe.

“It wasn’t to be but hopefully it’s coming soon and hopefully it will contribute to three points.”

Spirits were low around Ewood Park after a loss which left Rovers seven points off the play-off places.

Lowe insists the players felt as dejected as the fans.

“The two words that came up in the hour after the game were ‘frustrated’ and ‘disappointed’,” said the former England U20s captain, who does have two senior goals to his name – both scored when he was on loan at Oldham Athletic in the 2010/11 season.

“We threw everything at them in the second half to try and get an equaliser but it just wouldn’t fall for us.

“Outside of the final third I thought we did everything well. We restricted them to just crosses and they never really caused us any trouble.

“So there were a lot of positives to take. It was just the result – which is the most important thing – was very disappointing.”