THINK back to this time a month ago. Norwich and Nottingham Forest were flying high at the top while Rovers were floundering in mid-table after a desperately disappointing defeat at Rotherham.

Fast forward four weeks and the Canaries and Forest have won just once between them while Rovers now find themselves just four points off top spot after embarking on a six-match unbeaten run in response to that chastening evening at the New York Stadium.

We would have all taken that, wouldn’t we?

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So, as deeply frustrating as the events of Tuesday night were, they should not overshadow the fact there has been a significant improvement in Rovers’ results.

That said what happened at The Den should not be glossed over.

Credit to the 10 men of Millwall, they fully deserved a share of the spoils after fighting back from two goals down.

And in many ways the 61st-minute sending off of Andy Wilkinson was the best thing that could have happened to them.

It galvanised Ian Holloway’s players and, more importantly, the home faithful, who like nothing better than that feeling of a burning sense of injustice.

But that should not excuse Rovers’ performance after Rudy Gestede headed them into what appeared an unassailable lead.

Put simply they completely lost their composure; their nerve even.

Passes went astray, tackles were missed and it was difficult to tell which team had the numerical advantage.

It was at times like this that you wished Rovers had more experience in their ranks.

While it is true that the only way you will gain experience is by making and learning from your mistakes and Gary Bowyer is confident his young side, which had an average of just 23 on Tuesday, will do that.

But Bowyer’s boys certainly missed the tenacity of the injured Lee Williamson, whose return to the team after the Rotherham reverse has coincided with Rovers’ resurgence.

They could also have used the cool head of David Dunn, who remained sat on the bench when there is a strong argument to suggest he was the perfect man to bring on to keep hold of the ball.

Rovers’ failure to do that ultimately allowed the Lions back into a match that should have been over the moment Gestede’s expertly taken header nestled in the back of the net.

But the players, who are an honest bunch, know that.

That was clear to see as they traipsed discontentedly off the field and down the tunnel to the dressing room.

Yes, it was dispiriting.

But such is the relentless nature of the Championship, the players have no time to wallow, not with a trip to Brighton immediately around the corner.

And, in their defence, they have proved time and again they have a genuine resilience about them and, should they need it, they can take heart from what they have done since post Rotherham.

Since then they have won three win and drawn three.

While a point at the Amex would not be a bad result at all, three would really lift the spirits going into yet another international break.