Adam Armstrong says Rovers need to start closing games out if they are to get ‘to the next level’.

Rovers let two points slip through their fingers as two goals in the space of as many minutes saw Birmingham earn a point at Ewood Park.

Tony Mowbray’s side looked well set for a fifth home win of the season, and fourth in their last five Ewood fixtures, as Armstrong put Rovers 2-0 up in the 46th minute.

Danny Graham had headed them in a 19th minute lead, but it was to be a frustrating end to the game as a Craig Gardner penalty and Che Adams strike saw the visitors level.

“We had the game in our hands and would have been a couple of points off the play-offs had we won,” Armstrong said.

“We have to work on things, the lads need to come together to sort out our ability to see games out.

“That’s how we get to the next level, we have to be better as a team.”

Armstrong came off the bench in the 18th minute, replacing Craig Conway who was forced off with a thigh problem.

The 21-year-old had lost his place to Conway for the previous two matches, but could now take advantage of the Scot’s expected spell on the sidelines.

He pushed his claims for a starting spot with a fifth goal of the season, firing home with his left foot after being teed up by Bradley Dack.

The game was played in terrible conditions, with lashing rain and a swirling wind.

And Armstrong added: “It was one of those games where the conditions didn’t help either team.

“The wind was strong and the rain was lashing down.

“It’s one of them where I’m happy to score but really disappointed that we didn’t get that win.

“I thought we were poor in the second half and we should have killed them off, we should have won.

“We didn’t see the game out and that was poor from us.”

Rovers handed Birmingham a way back in to the game when goalkeeper David Raya was caught out under the high ball and brought down Maxime Colin.

Gardner dispatched the penalty, and with their next attack, Adams turned in a Lukas Jutkiewicz cross.

“David knows he’s made a mistake, but you need to get on with it,” Armstrong said.

“It’s tough to take. We should have won, the dressing room knows it, the fans know it.

“Both teams created a few chances and it was about who took them.

“In the end, both teams did at times.”

Meanwhile, Rovers Under-23s are in action tonight as they travel to Arsenal (7pm).

Damien Johnson’s youngsters moved off the bottom of the Premier League table last time out courtesy of a 3-1 win over Swansea.

They will be aiming for a first away victory of the season, in the game which will be played at Boreham Wood, against a Gunners side who have conceded 14 goals in a run of three consecutive defeats.

Joe Nuttall, a scorer in each of the Under-23s’ last three matches, is expected to continue his run in the side, as is midfielder Lewis Travis, after neither were involved for the first team last weekend.