It would be remiss not to start with the positive of Bradley Dack back in Rovers colours, a glorious end to a 368 day wait. The importance of that, moving forward, will far outweigh the frustration of more dropped points.

He touched the ball just 18 times, but that was more than enough to serve a reminder, were it needed, of his talent, as well as his trademark backing in, darts into the box and exquisite touches.

Dack’s involvement for the first time since being taken off on a stretcher against Wigan Athletic with damage to his anterior cruciate knee ligament 12 months ago, brought an outpouring of joy. And in truth, it wasn’t until his arrival just after the hour mark that there was much positive to report, his introduction the spark Rovers craved, a visible lift to those around him.

To that point, this was a combination of what’s gone before, home games against Rotherham, Millwall and Barnsley, away trips at Stoke City and Bristol City, amalgamated into one endless spell of possession.

Yet still, for the third game running, Rovers managed to concede a goal to a side who showed barely any interest in attacking. Rovers have given up just three shots on target in the last three matches but conceded from all three.

For the opening 60 minutes here, they looked the perfect team to play against, Sheffield Wednesday following the blueprint that has seemingly been mailed around the Championship.

Neil Warnock, Michael O’Neill and Tony Pulis, managers whose middle name is pragmatic, have all found ways, for large spells at least, of dealing with Rovers’ waves of pressure. With another in Aitor Karanka around the corner, Rovers really need to add some more imagination when they aren’t able to either exploit the space in behind, or win the ball off the opposition high up the pitch.

A third line of attack in Ryan Nyambe was negated here, up against an equally strong and determined defender in Moses Odubajo.

It felt a little over complicated, and safe, at times. Did Rovers need Bradley Johnson’s combative skills at the base of the midfield against such an opponent? The introduction of Stewart Downing suggested probably not, unless you’re worried about Wednesday’s set piece threat.

The Elliott experiment of using him as the most central of the three attackers felt like trying to be too cute, Adam Armstrong much more dangerous when moved into the middle, while Sam Gallagher’s attributes aren’t suited to getting involved in the build-up play out wide.

In their last 13 matches, Rovers have now managed just two goals in the opening half an hour, before a fifth consecutive first half passed them by without a goal.

It was scarcely believable that with almost 80 per cent of possession, they found themselves behind at the break. While Rovers have conceded from the last three attempts on goal they’ve faced, that is as much down to teams allowing them to have the ball than any defensive prowess. They’ve looked more vulnerable than those statistics would suggest.

The left side of the defence is proving to be an issue, Daniel Ayala uncomfortable on that flank, while Barry Douglas has looked a shell of the player Rovers fans thought they were getting. The two contrived to get in a muddle from a long ball forward, Adam Reach profiting to bend the ball into the top corner from all of 25 yards in the 41st minute.

Nothing changed in terms of personnel, or flow of the game, the hour mark reached with Keiren Westwood having only had to save from a long range Armstrong shot, while Darragh Lenihan headed over a Joe Rothwell set piece, a rare ball delivered into the box.

It was one to ponder just whether teams are giving Rovers respect, or that they've been worked out? They haven’t been the free-scoring side of late their goals scored column would suggest, and since the 5-0 thumping of Wycombe, a 15 minute spell at the start of the second half against Norwich City apart, it’s a struggle to think of many sustained periods of quality at Ewood. Yet to their credit, they've been digging out results,and nearly did so again here.

When Wednesday did choose to attack, they threatened, Reach passing up a good chance for a second from the edge of the box after Douglas was caught on his heels. Later on, only an Ayala block and linesman’s flag saved Rovers from falling to a late defeat.

Things got so serious that Rovers had no choice but to turn to Dack. Immediately there was an impact, Armstrong, benefitting from a move more central, cracked the post with a shot on the turn, before thumping another down the throat of Westwood.

Rothwell too came to life, his darting run through the heart of the Wednesday defence ended with an immaculate finish, a second solo strike of the month, this one to haul them level 15 minutes from time.

After late shows against Millwall and Rotherham, hopes were high for another, Armstrong whistling a shot wide of the target, and but for better control, would have been clean through in injury time from a neat Dack flick.

Armstrong couldn’t come to the rescue this time however, and it’s now just five points from the last 18 available. While some will look at the gap to the top six, others to the recent run of results, what Rovers must first address is their level of performance over a sustained period.

It feels some time since we’ve seen that. Short glimpses of promises have been all too often, none moreso than here as fans got a sight of life with Downing, Rothwell, Elliott, Brereton and Armstrong all on the pitch together. Yet it's that inconsistency that's been all to evident which stops you getting over-excited.

Rovers must start as they mean to go on, not just before they think it’s too late. So far, they have undelivered on their promise.