Rovers have won three games on the spin and are starting to build real momentum under Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Tomasson’s men started the season strongly but were unable to record back-to-back victories over the past couple of months.

Rovers have made a statement over the past week, picking up nine points out of nine despite their busy fixture list.

But they had to work hard for it against a Birmingham side who had lost just one of their last eight matches prior to their trip to Ewood Park.

Jon Dahl Tomasson made three changes from the side that won against Sunderland in midweek, with Lewis Travis, Harry Pickering and Adam Wharton coming in for Sam Szmodics, Callum Brittain and Jake Garrett.

The visitors started brightly, enjoying lots of the ball in the opening stages and looking like a side who had lost just one of their last eight games.

Rovers were given an early let off when Tahith Chong was denied by the woodwork inside the opening five minutes.

The former Manchester United youngster had Thomas Kaminski beaten with a low drive across goal after some good work by Hogan, who managed to get in behind the backline.

Juninho Bacuna also tried his luck from distance moments later but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Rovers’ slow start was perhaps to be expected following a demanding couple of fixtures against Middlesbrough and Sunderland, and with Sam Szmodics and Callum Brittain missing due to injury.

But Tomasson’s men began to grow into the game, asking questions of the Birmingham defence down the flanks.

And it wasn’t long before they were ahead, with Gallagher slotting home from close range after getting on the end of Tyler Morton’s pinpoint cross after a well-worked move.

When asked about the opener, Tomasson said: "It was a great switch of play, good run in-behind and getting into the the second post which we spoke about before the game.

"That was great to see and you want to see that from the players."

Emmanuel Longelo sent a dipping free-kick over the bar as the visitors searched for an immediate equaliser.

Kaminski also had to make a smart stop to tip Hogan’s effort over the bar after the forward managed to get into a dangerous area.

The ex-Aston Villa man has enjoyed a prolific start to the campaign and looked a threat during the opening 45 minutes.

Rovers then nearly handed Birmingham a chance to get back on level terms after giving the ball away in a dangerous area, but the offside flag came to their rescue as Chong was racing towards goal.

The hosts doubled their lead on the stroke of half time through Wharton’s strike. The Birmingham defence backed off and allowed the youngster to shoot, and he made them pay with a clinical finish that gave John Ruddy no chance.

Wharton certainly rewarded the manager’s faith in him, and it was telling that several players aged 21 or younger were involved at some stage of the match.

The visitors started the second half strongly and Kaminski had to make another good stop to deny Hogan after he managed to beat the offside trap.

The Rovers shot stopper also managed to keep out Bacuna’s effort with his legs moments later, protecting his side’s two-goal cushion.

At the other end, Ryan Hedges had a chance to add a third but he couldn’t find a way past Ruddy from a tight angle.

Just after the hour mark, Hedges went down with an injury and was unable to continue. He was replaced by Ash Phillips.

Birmingham continued to knock on the door, with Kaminski making yet another save to keep out Bacuna’s thumping strike from distance.

Gallagher also had a chance for a second but he failed to hit the target with a first-time effort after some good play by Brereton.

The visitors pulled one back 10 minutes from time when the ball dropped for Hogan in the box and he lashed home. There was nothing Kaminski could do this time.

But the goalkeeper came to his side’s rescue one more time in the final stages, producing a heroic stop to deny substitute Lukas Jutkiewicz low to his right.

Rovers showed maturity beyond their years to hold onto their lead, and Ewood Park is becoming a very difficult place for opposition teams to visit.

Tomasson added: "The supporters always help us through that. The fans have an important role to help us grow. They are doing that.

"They are passionate from the players and they give us something back. They are patient but also passionate for this group."

The result leaves Rovers second in the Championship table – only behind leaders Queens Park Rangers on goal difference.

For the first time in October, they now have a full week to prepare for the upcoming trip to Hull City.