Rovers boss Tony Mowbray opted to go with both Derrick Williams and Amari’i Bell from the start in the 2-2 draw with Oldham Athletic at the weekend.

Williams continued his long run of consecutive starts by taking his usual spot at left-back, with January signing Bell playing in a more advanced role.

Mowbray opted to go with that pairing down the left side rather than Adam Armstrong who would eventually come off the bench to score the equalising goal.

And when asked why he opted for that pairing on the left, Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I think their main playmaker was Jack Byrne, he’s a bit like Jack Payne for us, when he lands on the ball he picks the right pass nine times out of 10.

“I think their right back, having watched their games, spends most of his time in the opposition half, plays like a right winger, so I think we needed to be solid out there rather than sticking an Armstrong out wide left and then he spends all game chasing back with the full-back.

“We had to change it, we got on top, put extra players in midfield, got the ball and asked questions.”

Rovers trailed 2-0 at the break, but hauled themselves back in to it with second half strikes from Charlie Mulgrew and Armstrong.

They were unable to take full advantage of defeats for both Wigan and Shrewsbury, but the point did take them one closer to the automatic promotion spots.

And Mowbray said: “From 2-0 down there was a long way to go but we take the point.

“We got the job done to the extent that we got a point but we’re still disappointed because with all due respect Blackburn Rovers should be beating Oldham Athletic at home.

“There’s a frustration but let’s try and take the positives because it looked a long way back at half-time.

“We’ll take positives from it, that’s what I’ve said to them, it’s a point closer to the top two, we’ve got a third of the season to go and let’s be really positive and kick on.”