Tony Mowbray was delighted with how his side found a way to win in difficult conditions at Charlton Athletic.

John Buckley and Tosin Adarabioyo struck in the first half, before Rovers claimed an 11th clean sheet of the season to go within three points of the top six.

A sold-out Valley roared Charlton on, particularly at the start of each half, but Rovers were the more dominant force for long spells and with the victory moved to 50 points and eighth in the table.

Rovers were without nine first-team players for the game, with Derrick Williams adding his name to the absentees list because of a calf problem.

And Mowbray said: “I feel I have been talking to them about that for three years, you have to find a way to win.

“We have some really key injuries in our football club at the moment to some key players, but we’re trying to find a way to win.

“We’re trying a way to play to help the people we’ve got in the team and I’m delighted for them.

“They’re applying the tactics and we’re getting the benefits and winning football matches,

“I could sit here and reel through six or seven players who would probably be starting our team but were unavailable.”

Mowbray made two changes to the side, with Buckley recalled while Samuel was handed a first start since the opening day of last season.

And Mowbray felt Rovers’ ability to run in behind, with the option of Samuel and Adam Armstrong, was a key asset in how they played.

Goalkeeper Walton made it back-to-back clean sheets, and 11 for the season, and made key saves to deny Lyle Taylor in both halves.

And in testing conditions, with wind and heavy rain throughout, Mowbray felt it was a professional display.

“I thought we dug deep, played the elements as well as the opposition,” he added.

“I thought we tried to play on the front foot, turned them around, and didn’t get too wrapped up in trying to look sexy with the ball and play too much.

“We played speed at the top end of the pitch and it worked well.

“I’m delighted for Dominic Samuel, Christian Walton made one or two good saves, delighted for John Buckley, and as I’ve said I like our defenders who got the job done.

“We talked at half time about how the stadium would come alive if they got a goal and the 27,000 would have ignited.

“We tried to keep them quiet, dull it down a bit, turn them around and I thought we managed it well.

“We should have had a penalty and playing against 10 men, but it wasn’t to be, but it doesn’t matter because we are sat here with three points and a clean sheet.”

Rovers saw the game out in the second half, and Mowbray saw plenty of positive characteristics in his side.

“We had two bookings in the first half and we talked about game-management in the second half,” he said.

“We have been to places when the crowd get wrapped up in the game and it’s really tough to stop a team’s momentum when they’re coming for you and putting balls in to the box.

“I like the central defenders individually and together, I think they complement each other well.

“Tosin at times, I don’t want to shake him, but he looks so composed that I think ‘woah’. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t play like that, but he has the ability to pick those passes, stand with the ball, wait for people to close him down and pass round them.

“Lenihan is more traditional, wants to win everything, headers, tackles, and they complement each other well and that’s standing us in good stead.”