Christian Walton, a self-confessed ‘student of the game’, was delighted to see his studies pay dividends after his penalty save helped Rovers to a second consecutive win, and clean sheet.

Walton kept out Jarrod Bowen’s first half spot-kick, his fifth penalty save in the last three years, before a Derrick Williams goal handed Rovers a 1-0 win at Hull City.

The 23-year-old earned a first shut-out of the campaign as Rovers beat Middlesbrough by the same scoreline on Saturday and they backed that up at the KCOM Stadium on Tuesday night.

It was a satisfying evening for the on-loan Brighton man who revealed, as ever, he’d studied Hull’s penalty takers for if the opportunity should arise.

“It was nice to keep it out, on the TV, and keep a clean sheet,” he said.

“He (Bowen) has got a great penalty record. We watched all the penalties from Hull over the last couple of years and I was watching that before the game.

“He’s got great ability, but I came out on top which was nice.

“I like to think that I’m a student of the game, studying players and their strengths and weaknesses, analysing penalties, so when they do come around you’re prepared and there’s no excuses that you haven’t watched them, you’re fully ready.”

The penalty save proved to be Hull’s only shot on target, though they did go close in the first half as Kamil Grosicki hit the crossbar.

But Rovers were denied by the woodwork on three occasions themselves in the first half, while opposite number George Long saved well from Adam Armstrong and Greg Cunningham.

The all-important goal came just after the hour mark as Williams glanced in a Downing free kick before Rovers negotiated the closing stages well to make it three wins in the space of a week.

“We created a lot of chances and were unlucky not to convert more but the back four were really solid and everyone was together,” Walton added.

“Everyone knows their roles and we were solid.

“It’s making sure we’re focused for the whole 90 minutes.

“The first two games were tricky to come away with no points but two wins in the last two games is good for everyone’s confidence around the place and moving in to Saturday we should be positive.”

Tony Mowbray feels there is room for improvement for Rovers, despite the two wins, highlighting the fact they have just three goals to show from their opening four games.

But Walton says the number of chances they created against the Tigers has to be seen as a positive heading in to Saturday’s game with Cardiff City at Ewood.

He added: “Not many teams come to Ewood and create that amount of chances so credit to ourselves.

“Our attacking play was good, we hit the bar twice, the post, so the chances were there and it’s positive for everyone moving forward.

“It was a disappointing start but it’s a long old season, 46 games, and you will have ups and downs along the way.

“But to put together back-to-back wins against two established Championship teams is good for our confidence.”