Adam Armstrong acknowledged that Rovers’ slide down the table hasn’t been good enough – but also self-inflicted.

Rovers have won just one of their last 15 games, and would have fallen to a 10th defeat in that time were it not for Armstrong’s last minute equaliser at Cardiff City.

His brace ended a six-game wait for a goal, and also took him beyond 20 league goals for the season, and 50 for the club, his form the standout in what has proven to be a disappointing campaign.

Rovers were in top six contention after an unbeaten January, but a run of just eight points from the last 45 available has left them looking over their shoulder.

And Armstrong said: “What’s happened in the last few months has mainly been down to our mistakes and we have to cut them out.

“We’ve dropped down the table in recent weeks and we all know that it’s not been good enough from us. No footballer wants to be down there.”

Rovers’ slide down the table has seen manager Tony Mowbray come in for heavy criticism, while the players have also come under fire for the lack of wins.

Armstrong understands the frustration, not least given the run of results, adding: “We’re professional footballers and know that the criticism comes with the job.

“We just have to knuckle down, keep working hard and hope to have a massive end to the season to ensure we can hit the ground running for the start of next season.”

His brace earned Rovers a point at the Cardiff City Stadium, scoring late in both halves, though there was a hint of disappointment, having hit the woodwork three times, that they weren’t coming away from south Wales with a victory.

“We felt the point was the least we deserved,” the 24-year-old explained.

“The game summed up the season in a way. We had lots of the ball, created lots of chances but couldn’t put them all away.

“It’s a positive point to take and we need to take that into the next game against Derby.”

Mowbray praised the goalscoring instinct of Armstrong as he became the first Rovers in six seasons to reach 20 league goals.

He enjoyed a blistering start to the season, but injury and struggles from the penalty spot have seen him have to wait longer than expected to reach the milestone.

But Mowbray told the club website: “You can play it into his feet, play it over the top, it never matters whether he shoots with his right foot or left foot.

“He’s as sharp as a razor.

“He’s a brilliant kid and he scored 20 goals when we took him at Coventry on loan from Newcastle all those years ago.

“He’s got 21 league goals now with us and he’ll score in any league because he’s a fabulous footballer.”