Bradley Johnson felt Rovers changed their approach after falling behind for a second time which allowed Charlton to hang on their victory.

The midfielder impressed on his Rovers debut, and it was his header that led to the equalising goal 10 minutes after the break.

At that point Rovers were in the ascendancy, but conceded what Johnson admitted was ‘a sloppy goal’ from a corner restored the Addicks’ lead with 14 minutes to play.

Ratings: Johnson the bright spot as defensive struggles continue

The game then become fractured, with Rovers opting to play more direct in to Danny Graham then they had previously.

Six minutes additional time brought some hope to the home supporters, but Dillon Phillips in the Charlton goal was rarely tested in the closing stages.

“We were on top until their second goal but that is something we have to learn from,” the midfielder said.

“We have a lot of young players in this team and when that does happen we have to brush that off because before that we were playing some good football.

“When they scored that second goal we changed the way we played.

“We went that bit more direct where sometimes you have to keep on playing and plugging away to try and get that goal.”

Johnson said Rovers never gave up hope of getting back in to the game, having trailed for a second time, but a disappointment in the change of approach late on was also referenced by manager Tony Mowbray post-match.

“I’ve been in this league a long time and there’s games where you can be losing but come the 85th minute you get an equaliser and then can go on and win games,” Johnson added.

“You have to keep on playing the way you were playing, as we were in the whole second half until they got that goal and then we changed a bit.

“But the manager spoke about that at full time and we’ll learn from it.”

Johnson’s display in the middle of the park was one positive Rovers could take from the game, but their Achilles heel of conceding goals from crosses, the second being from a corner, proved their downfall.

“It was frustrating,” said the 32-year-old.

“We felt confident going in to the game and we feel confident coming out of the game.

“We played some good football, dominated large periods of the game, but left frustrated at the goals we conceded.

“We wanted to come out in the second half, score the second goal and we did that.

“I felt we were on top but conceded a sloppy goal and that gave them something to hold on to which they did.”

There were high hopes among fans and players alike heading in to the opening game of the season. However, Rovers’ wait for a win in the first game will stretch in to a 10th year.

But with still 45 to go, Johnson has reason to be optimistic.

“It’s a big thing for the fans who come to see us perform, they want us to win and so do we,” he said of the opening day.

“It’s a long season, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.

“Games come thick and fast in this league and you can get a run of results and everyone forgets about the first game.

“But we’re disappointed we didn’t get the win.

“I’m sure we’ll probably play worse than we did but get the three points. This league is very unpredictable.

“We’re upset, but I feel we can take some positives from it.”