Damien Johnson reflected on a frustrating night for his side as they did everything but score in Monday’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal at Ewood Park.

Rovers were the better side throughout and forced several good saves out of visiting goalkeeper Deyan Iliev.

They played for almost 40 minutes against 10 men after Charlie Gilmour was sent off for kicking out at Lewis Travis, with both sides ending the game a man light when Hayden Carter was sent off in the closing stages.

Rovers are still winless in Premier League 2 after promotion last season, but Johnson feels his side are getting there at the new level.

“Overall we're a little bit frustrated. We created opportunities and you’re hoping to get on the end of something or our final pass is a bit better. That was the disappointing thing,” Johnson said.

“Even in the first-half we had some opportunities when we nicked the ball off them in their half but it was frustrating.”

Joe Nuttall had chances in either half, while Iliev made two good stops to deny Stefan Mols as Rovers pressed hard.

With Nuttall and Travis involved, and Jack Rodwell playing the full 90 minutes, it was a stronger squad than Rovers have had for each of their previous four matches which had brought them just one point.

After a second draw of the campaign, Johnson admits there has been a clear step-up in level.

“It's been a difficult last couple of weeks for the young lads so it was important to keep a clean sheet,” he said.

“It's a steep learning curve for the lads and we have spoken about that in the last couple of games.

“The level has gone up you have to say in terms of the opposition and sometimes you learn more about yourself. The mentality of the group is good, they are working hard for each other.

“At some point they have to show they are ready to make the step up and show they can cope at this level.

“Whether that is the lads at the back with their shape and organisation or the lads at the top end of the pitch with their end product and their finishing.

“Those are the little bits. When a team goes down to 10 men and sits back it is difficult to break them down but that’s when you’re then looking for that little bit of individuality and bit of quality. It is nearly there, and it will come, I’m sure of that.”

Rodwell, who came through the full 90 minutes, was rarely tested playing in the heart of the back three.

Goalkeeper Andrew Fisher made one save of note, denying Joe Willock when clean through in the 90th minute, as Rovers dominated for the most part.

On Rodwell, he added: “Jack's been terrific. He's dropped down a couple of times for some training sessions with us and it was important to get minutes under his belt. I was pleased for him that he managed to come through the 90 minutes and looked good I thought.

“He helped us, you never can doubt his quality and his attitude has been top class as well. I'm delighted that he got 90 minutes of football.”