BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes paid a glowing tribute to his players after they bounced back from a goal down to draw at Manchester City on Saturday.
Rovers trailed to a first half strike from Antoine Sibierski at the City of Manchester Stadium but they showed tremendous character to claw their way back into the game and claim a point courtesy of Paul Dickov's 77th minute penalty.
It was the third game in a row that Rovers have had to come from behind to claim a share of the spoils but Hughes believes it's only a matter of time before his side start turning draws into wins.
"I don't think we've been ahead in any of the games I've been involved in apart from the first (against Portsmouth)," said Hughes.
"That's something we need to address because if we can actually get our noses in front in a game then I think we'll be a very difficult team to beat, as we are now because the players are showing great determination and they refuse to accept that it's not going to be their day.
"That got us something out of this game and it got us something in the previous two games (against Liverpool and Norwich) we were involved in.
"We've now gone three games unbeaten and two of those games were difficult away ones so we've got a period of home games coming up now and hopefully we can start converting draws into wins."
Rovers dominated long spells of Saturday's game and it was against the run of play when City grabbed the opening goal through Sibierski on the stroke of half-time.
However, Hughes' players refused to panic and a determined second half fight-back was eventually rewarded when referee Mark Clattenburg awarded Rovers a penalty - their first in 53 games - after Danny Mills had fouled Dickov in the area and the Scotland striker duly slotted away the equaliser from the spot.
"I thought we shaded the first half and certainly created more chances," said Hughes.
"Just before City got their goal, we had a great chance with Jon Stead at the other end so we were disappointed to go in 1-0 down at half-time.
"But at this level one lapse of concentration can cost you and it did.
"Nevertheless, we came into the dressing room, dusted ourselves down and went again."
In fact, after Dickov's equaliser, Rovers then had chances to win the game outright in the closing stages but had to settle for a point in the end.
"They were down to 10-men and spaces started to open up and we started to create things," said Hughes.
"To be honest, I thought our overall performance merited more than the one point. The players showed great determination.
"We are off the bottom of the league and I think that's significant.
"It's important that we start to move in the right direction but if people have seen the way we've approached our last three games, I think they'll agree that we look stronger physically and mentally because we used to give in.
"If we continue like that and keep showing those traits then I'm sure we'll be converting draws into wins very, very soon."
Another major plus for Hughes was the return of David Thompson, who made only his second appearance of the season as a late substitute.
"I thought Thommo did very well when he came on," added the Rovers chief.
"He was positive, he's high energy and he's a good character to have around the dressing room as well."
because he's loud, he's bubbly and he gets people going.
"It's great to see him back because he's had a difficult period with injuries but he came in and made an impression and he's another option for us now."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article