Aynsley Pears is enjoying his best vein of form in a Blackburn Rovers shirt and wants to repay fans for their support.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper has been on a journey since moving to Ewood Park in 2020. With Thomas Kaminski impressing between the sticks, he's had to bide his time.

Pears spent three months out with a broken metatarsal earlier this season but has been near-faultless since returning to full fitness. He was instantly recalled by then-boss Jon Dahl Tomasson and has repaid that faith.

He was once again in fantastic form against Newcastle United, producing a miraculous double save to keep Rovers in the game during extra-time. Pears has been noticeably more confident, assured and proactive off his line, sweeping up behind the defence.

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"It felt really good," Pears told RoversTV on the double save.

"You get that feeling when you know you've made a good save. It was nice but it's what I'm there for, I knew I'd be busy at some stage.

"Thankfully I saved it. We got to penalties which gave us a chance.

"When I came in, I wasn't playing and you're fighting to get in the team. When you get a run of games, I'm feeling as good as I ever have in the goal, to be honest.

"It's a lot of inner confidence because you're in the 18-yard box on your own. I am feeling really good and I've had so much positive feedback from the stands. It elevates you more and gives you confidence.

"I am proving that with how I am playing. The support from them was first-class and I really appreciated it."

Pears saved Harvey Barnes' spot-kick in the shoot-out but Rovers lost the tie 4-3 from 12 yards. Despite the end result, the performance is one that will give the team huge confidence heading into the final 12 games of the Championship season.

"What a game of footie, it was one of those nights where you didn't know how it would turn," he said.

"We did ourselves proud tonight against a top team with a lot of good players. On another day, we win. It wasn't to be. 

"I think it can give everyone a lot of confidence and shows how good we are. It could have gone either way, we gave it our best and the fans, players and staff should be proud.

"There was a big crowd tonight and you could tell the difference. We might have lost the tie but it feels like a bit of a win because we played so well. It was a positive night on the whole."

He added: "I thought the fans were incredible, it's the best I've seen here for a long time.

"I hope we can get those crowds every week, it makes a huge difference and we really felt the difference tonight. It was a pleasure to play at Ewood.

Rovers now face a crucial tripleheader of fixtures, starting at Swansea City on Saturday. Millwall and Plymouth Argyle come to Ewood Park next week in three matches that will define Rovers' season.

Pears hopes the display against Premier League opposition will fuel confidence for this pivotal run of games and beyond,

"The games coming up are huge, we know that, but I don't think we could have much more confidence after this game," he added.

"We have to go there looking for all three points and that is what we will try to do.

"It was a great game but we know we have bigger games to play with points on the line that are more important with the position we're in. We'll definitely need them (the fans)."