Joe Rankin-Costello and Elliott Bennett both answered their manager’s call to play through the pain barrier given Rovers’ issues at left back.

Rankin-Costello missed two-and-a-half weeks, and three games, with the hamstring injury that forced him off against Bristol City, but was back in the starting line-up for the win over Cardiff City.

Elliott Bennett had started at left back in the previous three games, but limped out of the Leeds United defeat with a dead leg, with Rovers already without regular options in that position Amari’i Bell and Derrick Williams.

Mowbray had called for players to pull on their boots and do a job for the team, with Lewis Travis having also rushed back to feature after fears he could miss the season with a knee injury.

Bennett replaced Rankin-Costello just moments before Armstrong’s winner, with the 20-year-old having got through 70 minutes before suffering with tiredness. The Rovers captain himself played through the pain, needing an injection in order to make the game, as neither trained fully in the lead up to the game.

Mowbray will hope both will be rested and ready for the weekend visit of automatic promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion, and reserved praise for their attitude.

He said: “It was really tough. First and foremost Elliott Bennett played with an injection, he wasn’t fit.

“Joe Rankin-Costello, my physio department told me that I might get 20 minutes out of him. But needs must.

“I sat him down, told him that he is the man, and he has to deal with Hoilett and they have to do the job.

“I think it was just tiredness. I don’t think he’s damaged it again. I hope he’s available for the weekend, and Elliott as well, we’ll have to wait and see.

“Both of them, one played with an injection and another hasn’t kicked a ball for two weeks. They both deserve huge credit.”

It was just a seventh senior appearance for Rankin-Costello, one of four changes made by Mowbray for Tuesday night’s game.

They included the return of Danny Graham for just his second start of 2020, despite featuring in every matchday squad.

He took just 22 minutes to find the back of the net, tapping in from close range after Darragh Lenihan’s header had hit the post.

Graham, whose deal is up at the end of the season, played in a slightly deeper role, as Rovers kept faith with the 4-3-3 system they have largely operated with since the re-start.

Dominic Samuel was also recalled, with both on the scoresheet, as was Adam Armstrong whose stunning winner helped Rovers back to winning ways.

Having all three attackers find the back of the net was a big boost for Mowbray who had seen his side pass up excellent chances in front of goal across their previous three matches.

“We’ve rotated those strikers around, Danny got his first start and scored,” he added.

“I’m trying to play a certain way. You saw Danny Graham and I'm not sure if you thought he played in a different way, but he linked the team pretty well for us.

“When you have Armstrong and Samuel and their speed either side, and him arriving late in the box, not stood there getting marked in a big physical confrontation, I think it worked alright.

“We’ve been trying to do it with a Dack like player. If you want to call it a false nine, the centre halves don’t have anyone to mark but have real pace on their shoulders.

“When you play different formations you have to be disciplined and do your job, not run around and do your own thing because the team won’t function.

“I thought they all did what we had asked of them.

“It’s great for them all to score, but that’s what competition is.”