ROVERS edged a step nearer Premiership safety last night after gaining an impressive point from a battling 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Ewood.

Souness was delighted with the way his players applied themselves against a Blues side chasing a Champions League spot.

And with a little more composure in front of goal on the night, he felt they could even have gone on to take all three points.

"I thought the whole team were fiercely determined not to lose that game and if we can play like that in our next five games then we'll be fine," said Souness.

"It's very hard to say who was man of the match in that team performance because that's exactly what it was, a great team performance.

"I'd like to think our supporters went home happy because they got value for money and saw their team have a real go for them.

"So it was very pleasing and I'm just disappointed we didn't get the three points.

"On another night, we might have won it but I think we have to be happy overall because this was a big point for us."

That result meant Rovers opened up a three point gap between themselves and third-from-bottom Ipswich, on whom they still have a game in hand.

But the fact that Rovers also have a far superior goal difference effectively means the Tractor Boys now have to pick up at least four more points from their remaining four games, which is a tall order when you consider they still have to play each of the top three.

Souness, however, is still refusing to count his chickens, insisting he wants at least two more wins to be certain of safety.

"We'll see how important this point is in terms of the bigger picture in a few weeks' time.

"We are now effectively four points clear when you take into account our better goal difference which means Ipswich now have to take something from two of their remaining four games."

"But we are banking on them picking up more than two results so we've got to be professional and think that we are going to have to win another two or three games."

"Until other things change, that's got to be our attitude.

"We've got five games left and if we win two of those then I think that will be enough. But let's enjoy this point because it was a good one as they are a top team."

Rovers reserves are in action against Bradford City tonight at Morecambe's Christie Park (kick-off 7pm).