Tony Mowbray admitted he put result over performance, substance over style, going with Graham over Gallagher in attack.

With that came more back to front, more back to basics, but a more Rovers like performance.

The Rovers boss said he’d been provided with something of a ‘Danny dilemma’ after the midweek win over Oldham. At Ewood in particular, the only dilemma for now has to be which other 10 players are named alongside him.

While Mowbray is keen to play a more progressive style and not become so reliant on the 34-year-old, it works.

And if it’s good enough to claim a deserved three points on matchday three, then when is it not?

Mowbray said in the build-up to the game that a change of personnel and style was required so not to simply stagnate, feeling the same approach would bring similar results and with it, the likelihood of another mid-table finish.

But turning to a style that’s been the blueprint for success for approaching two years in Rovers’ hour of need has to say something.

Going a third game without a win would have been far from a crisis, nor did Mowbray believe it would have brought any great pressure.

Though finding a first win of a campaign is always important, as Rovers know all too well.

Two seasons ago, after back-to-back defeats to open their League One campaign, Rovers scrapped their more patient approach to go back to basics.

On that occasion they were rewarded with a 1-0 win at Bradford. Two years on, Middlesbrough were the opposition, but the same scoreline brought a first win of the season.

Graham came up with the goods, on the spot from 12 yards as life without Charlie Mulgrew started with a successful conversion.

Anfernee Dijksteel was punished for a brainless shirt pull on Graham, giving referee Jarred Gillett little option but to point to the spot.

Rovers had started the brighter up to that point as Greg Cunningham fired goalwards from two separate Stewart Downing corners as the hosts forced the issue.

And Graham went close to scoring when his outstretched leg just couldn’t get the required contact to turn home a Bradley Dack cross-shot.

The pair were linking up well, with Sam Gallagher proving both a willing runner and aerial threat out wide as Rovers were able to move up the pitch with ease, as well as close down from the front.

Both Rovers full backs were in the referee’s notebook inside half an hour, but it was the long-range shooting of Lewis Wing which caused them the most problems.

Seven minutes in he fired wide on his left foot, while the second half was just seconds old when a 30-yard free kick skipped off the turf to bring a save out of Christian Walton.

There felt a relentlessness to Rovers’ play though, one you weren’t sure how long they could keep up.

The crowd sensed that, playing their part by roaring the team forward, demonstrated by a lung-bursting Lewis Travis run which brought them to their feet.

Rovers yellow card count may have been rising, but their commitment was without question.

The script-writers almost got their wish as a quickly taken corner allowed Downing the chance to pick his spot, his whipped effort inches away from finding the top corner on the hour mark.

He, along with Dack and Graham, were the three players substituted and those coming on to the pitch had a good impact.

John Buckley crossed for Joe Rothwell whose left foot shot was denied by Darren Randolph, with Daniel Ayala across quickly to block from Adam Armstrong.

Somehow Gallagher maintained the energy to pick out a cross for Buckley to volley over as that second goal proved elusive.

In between that came Rovers' biggest let-off of the afternoon. Christian Walton had plucked two high balls out of the air before a rush of blood to the head saw him misjudge a right wing cross which cannoned off substitute Marcus Browne, but fortunately for Rovers, the post as well.

To their credit, they negotiated the latter stages, and five added minutes, with great professionalism.

At the third time of asking, they got something to show for their efforts.

Having more than one way of playing is something not to be snarled at.  Where Rovers go from here, will make for interesting watching. Results over aesthetics will do just nicely for now.