Some managers would have sat back and parked the bus after going down to 10 men, but not Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Harry Pickering’s early red card was a blow for Rovers, with the defender judged to have brought down Liam Delap on the edge of the box as the Manchester City loanee raced toward goal.

Despite being a man down, Tomasson’s side still tried to play on the front foot and be positive with the ball.

The performance summed up the Dane’s commitment to building an identity at Rovers and playing an entertaining brand of football.

The squad’s bravery looked like it was going to pay off when Sam Gallagher broke the deadlock 16 minutes from time.

But Aaron Connolly struck twice in the final 10 minutes to ensure the Yorkshire club would leave Ewood Park with all three points.

Tomasson made one change from the side that drew at Rotherham last weekend, with Ryan Hedges coming in for Dilan Markanday.

Leo Wahlstedt missed out through illness, with Joe Hilton named on the bench in the Swedish goalkeeper’s absence.

Joe Rankin-Costello started in the right-back role despite making a positive impact in the final half hour at the New York Stadium after moving higher up the pitch.

Niall Ennis and Gallagher, who returned to action against the Millers, were both named on the bench as Harry Leonard got the nod up front.

Scott Twine came straight into the starting line-up for the visitors following his season-long loan from Burnley.

The first chance fell to Ozan Tufan, who was full of confidence after scoring a hat trick against Sheffield Wednesday, but the attacking midfielder was denied by a smart stop by Aynsley Pears low to his left.

The shot stopper was called into action against moments later, denying Twine at his near post after he had skipped past Rankin-Costello’s challenge.

Pears has entered the season as first-choice goalkeeper for the first time in his senior career and will be keen to repay Tomasson’s faith in the coming weeks and months.

Wahlstedt will also been keen to impress in training and make the most of any opportunities that come his way once he is back from illness.

The main talking point of the first half came after 17 minutes when Pickering was given his marching orders by referee Oliver Langford.

There were a few nerves when set-piece specialist Twine stepped over the ball for the resulting free-kick, but he couldn’t keep his strike down.

In response to the sending off, Tomasson brought Callum Brittain off the bench in place of Tyrhys Dolan. Brittain slotted in at left-back, while Sam Szmodics moved over to the left flank.

Despite going down to 10 men, Rovers still tried to play their usual game and dictate the play against the Tigers.

The home crowd rose to their feet in the 23rd minute to applaud Jack Walker 23 years on from the club legend’s passing. A tribute video was always shown on the big screen ahead of kick-off and cries of, “There’s only one Jack Walker,” rang around the stadium.

Twine continued to cause problems on the left and managed to pick out Tufan in the box with a clever cut-back, but Brittain made an important block.

But Rovers also posed questions in the final third, with Leonard inches away from getting his head to Brittain’s looping cross at the far post.

The former Barnsley defender’s versatility came in handy and he might be needed on the left of defence once again at Watford if Jake Batty is still out injured.

Liam Rosenior’s side tried to crank up the pressure and make their man advantage count early in the second half, with Delap sending an effort over the bar after finding half-a-yard of space in the box.

Twine then fired into the side netting from a tight angle after a clever turn by Delap to skip past Hyam.

Tomasson made a double change in an attempt to swing the momentum back in his side’s favour, with Sam Gallagher and Niall Ennis replacing Leonard and Szmodics.

The pair provided an injection of energy in the final third and Gallagher, in particular, had a point to prove after missing the first couple of home games through injury.

Pears made another big stop to deny Delap from close range after the young forward had combined with ex-Fulham man Jean Michael Seri.

Substitutes John Buckley and Jason Lokilo were both booked following a melee near the corner flag which started with a collision between Gallagher and Lewie Coyle.

Brittain then tried his luck from well outside the area. His effort had Ingram scrambling to his left but crept wide of the post.

Rovers broke the deadlock 15 minutes from time when Gallagher found the bottom corner with a ruthless finish after some good work by Ennis. It will do the forward’s confidence a world of good as he aims to build on his eight goals last term.

Twine sent another free kick over the bar as Hull searched for an immediate response, and the Tigers were back on level terms inside the final 10 minutes.

Seri picked out Connolly in the box with a precise chipped pass and the forward made no mistake with a thumping volley. There was nothing Pears could do this time.

Rovers nearly went back in front when Ennis crashed an effort against the foot of the post after he was threaded through by Wharton.

There were chaotic scenes at the death as Gallagher was denied by a smart stop by Ingram before Ennis’ header was cleared off the line by a defender. Wharton also sent a volley wide of the post and Tomasson must have been wondering how his side hadn’t gone ahead.

Rovers were hit with a real sucker-punch at the other end when Connolly latched onto a long ball and kept his cool to slot past Pears.

While it hurts to lose late on, and by such fine margins, Tomasson’s men can take encouragement from their battling effort with 10 men for more than 70 minutes.

However, the fatigue that eventually took its toll in the final stages should be a warning of what could happen down the line if the Rovers boss is not able to bolster his squad before the transfer window slams shut.

The physical demands on Championship players are set to be greater than ever this season and there is no denying that Tomasson needs more bodies in the building. The next couple of weeks are set to be crucial as deadline day approaches.