EWOOD enforcer Garry Flitcroft believes Rovers now have the psychological advantage in their battle with Bolton for Premiership survival following Saturday's stormy encounter at the Reebok.

Rovers looked dead and buried after conceding a first half opener to Rod Wallace following the earlier dismissal of Andy Cole.

But Graeme Souness's men rolled their sleeves up and battled back to snatch a valuable point.

And Flitcroft believes Rovers can be happier with the final outcome once the dust finally settles.

"We gave a way a poor goal just before half time but the gaffer then stuck two up front and just said 'go for it' and we did after the break.

"And I thought we maybe could have won it in the end," said the Rovers skipper.

"So that result was a massive boost for us because we've now got two home games which we feel we've got a great chance of getting six points out of.

"So all the lads are optimistic and we need to do the business in these next two games."

Flitcroft was critical of Mike Whitlow's part in Andy Cole's sending off, however.

"It was something and nothing. Knowing Mike Whitlow as I do, he's an honest lad but he definitely tried to get him sent off, I felt.

"There was contact but not too much and I think he could have got up a little bit quicker than he did.

"So it's not nice when you get a fellow professional sent off. Like I said, there was contact but I don't think he had to wriggle around on the floor."

As for Cole, Flitcroft could sympathise with how the Rovers striker felt at half-time after he suffered a similar fate when the two sides met in the FA Cup last season.

"Andy was gutted at half time. He just stood on his own and was probably thinking about it like I did when the same thing happened to me last season.

"But there's nothing much you can do about it.

"It's not like Coley to lose his temper but he must have done it for some reason.

"I think he felt that Mike had stamped on him or something before hand so that maybe riled him.

"But that's Mike's game. He makes it awkward for attackers and that's why he's done so well for Bolton this season."