The return of supporters to Ewood Park meant ‘it felt like football again’ for Rovers boss Tony Mowbray.

For the first time in 17 months Rovers opened their gates to supporters, with a large travelling contingent from Leeds United adding to the atmosphere.

Huge roars greeted the entrance of both sides, while the home fans were fully behind a young side as they dug in against Premier League opposition.

Mowbray felt the experience of playing behind closed doors last season was a soulless one, so welcoming the return of fans, he said: “It felt like football again.

“This team have shown in my four-and-a-half years at this football club that the record at home has been something to be quite proud of, but without fans it dipped.

“That’s because players react to supporters.

“I think our fans were really good, got behind the team, saw there was a really young bunch of players out there giving a good account of themselves against a Premier League team.”

Six Academy graduates, including Hayden Carter, Tyler Magloire and Jake Garrett took to the field on Wednesday night as Rovers continue to be without a number of first-team players.

On their performance, Mowbray, who was book on the touchline after a period of self-isolation, said: “There were a lot of young players on the pitch for us and we challenged them to go and test themselves against some Premier League stars.

“I thought they applied themselves really well and I couldn’t ask any more of them.

“We tried to play and had only spent a day or so working on the system because I’ve spent the last week-and-a-bit working off Zoom calls.

“Marcelo doesn’t change his system too much, we knew they would play with one pivot and push their two midfielders on really high.

“We thought it was best to string five defenders across there and it made sense considering Daniel was never going to play the game.

“Hayden and Tyler, both hardened from loans away last season, they fitted in and did really well.

“Nyambe was good physically and it was a good test for young Harry at left-back against some really top players."