Jack Vale Vale now has two goals, and two assists, from an increasingly productive pre-season as he continues to push his claims for inclusion in Rovers’ plans last season.

A fine end to the Under-23s’ season saw him included on the final day at Birmingham City, but the close season couldn’t have gone much better for the Wales Under-21 international who backed up his strike at Accrington Stanley with the winner at Hartlepool United.

With an assist at Stanley, and also against Celtic at the weekend, he has firmly come into Tomasson’s plans ahead of the Championship opener.

Tomasson promised to rotate his squad for the final two friendlies and did just that, with Daniel Ayala, John Buckley, Sam Gallagher and Vale those to start having done so against Celtic four days earlier.

It was an attacking side, with four attackers picked, as Harry Leonard was included from the start.

Rovers were hogging possession as was to be expected against the League Two side, and excellent football five minutes in saw the front four combine to put Gallagher in, but under pressure, he dragged his shot wide of the target.

Markanday then had a shot deflect over the top after being found by John Buckley who was dictating play from the deeper role he is expected to employ this season.

Tomasson had given his front four freedom and flexibility to move around, but that was at times stifling Rovers as things got a little congested in the central areas of the pitch.

Hartlepool had offered little as an attacking force before almost shocking Rovers 21 minutes in. The direct Jake Hastie cut inside onto his stronger left foot and fired a shot goalwards which came back off the underside of the crossbar.

Rovers tried to find some rhythm, but moves were breaking down at a frustrating rate, as first Gallagher dragged a shot wide, while Markanday had another deflected over.

The best opening of what ended up being a frustrating first half saw Buckley rob possession to slide in Leonard, but opting to shoot first time on his left foot, he put his effort too close to goalkeeper Ben Killip who saved comfortably.

Rovers were unchanged for the second period, but had a let-off within 60 seconds of the re-start, the ball breaking kindly for Josh Umerah who snatched his shot wide of the near post.

The hosts had started the half the better, Rovers having to see off a succession of corners to keep their clean sheet intact.

At the other end, Vale had two efforts within a minute, one over the bar and the second over the top, before Rovers fashioned their best chance of the night on the hour.  It would have brought a goal, as Gallagher volleyed a Buckley cross towards the corner, but for a fine one-handed save by Killip.

Rovers made their first change, Rankin-Costello making his way straight down the tunnel as Jared Harlock came on in his place in an unfamiliar right back role.

Set pieces continued to look a good option for the hosts who should have led midway through the second half. Mouhamed Niang got a flick to a left wing corner that found the unmarked Alex Lacey at the far post, but with the whole goal to aim at, he hit the bar from six yards.

Soon after that let off, Vale curled a shot too close to Killip who held, before Gallagher worked an excellent opening  after 72 minutes with a neat turn on the edge of the box, but his shot over the bar was a reflection of how things had gone for Rovers in the final third.

There were moments of quality on show however, with 13 minutes to play Markanday showed great feet, and then awareness, to play in Leonard who did everything right with his run, and taking it round the ‘keeper, but could only hit the outside of the post with his finish.

And another in the 80th minute finally brought a goal. Substitute Harlock and Gallagher linked-up to play in Vale made no mistake when clean through, confidently firing the ball across Killip and into the corner.

All bar Rankin-Costello of the starting line-up came through the full 90 minutes, with similar expected from the team which takes to the field against Lincoln City on Saturday.

That team is set to be made up of those not involved at the Suit Direct Arena, where Bradley Dack will hope to be involved for the first time in pre-season.

Rovers: Pears, Rankin-Costello (Harlock, 64), Ayala, Barnes, Edun, Garrett, Buckley, Gallagher, Leonard, Markanday, Vale

Subs: Eastham, Pratt, Annesley, Saadi, Cirino, Burns