Rovers moved into pole position in the race for the Championship courtesy of a 2-0 home win over Bradford City, on this day in 2018.

Like the last time they moved top of the pile, with the win over Bury at Ewood Park, it took two second half strikes in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

And again it was the influential Bradley Dack who was to play a starring role, scoring his 16th of the season before having a hand in the second, scored by Craig Conway.

There was a nervous tension building around Ewood Park prior to Dack’s 68th minute strike, but not when the attacker went clear as he confidently slotted beyond Colin Doyle.

Jack Payne was sent on by Mowbray with 25 minutes to play in an attempt to open the game up. He had an almost immediate impact, freeing Adam Armstrong who opted to shoot first time, only to drag his effort wide.

But as ever, when they needed inspiration, it was to come from Dack. He owed much to Corry Evans’ through-ball which sent him clear as he found the corner with precision.

Another Rovers substitute would then come to the party as they went 2-0 up with 10 minutes to play. Dack and Armstrong linked up to great effect, and although the latter’s shot was blocked, it fell to the feet of Craig Conway, who took a touch to steady himself and then fired beyond Doyle.

And to the top of the league Rovers returned, but promotion race showed no signs of being a clear-run thing.

Regulars Danny Graham, Charlie Mulgrew and Ryan Nyambe were all unavailable, while Darragh Lenihan was forced off early on.

And boss Tony Mowbray said: “I have no fears about the depth of the squad and the quality of the players that we’ve got champing at the bit sitting on the bench.

“Every week when I pick an 11 it’s difficult to explain to those that aren’t playing why they aren’t playing but there’s normally a logic behind how we want to play.

“It was Antonsson instead of Conway and Payne, but the good thing for me is that the quality of the human beings is that they might not like it but they take it and accept it and support the players that start the game.

“You have to trust all of your squad, the players, and I’m repeatedly telling them in training to work hard and if you haven’t played to do the extra work and running so when you’re asked to play you have to perform.”