MANCHESTER United boss Alex Ferguson looked on last night's 2-2 draw with Rovers as two points lost rather than one point gained -- despite having to rely on a controversial late equaliser from David Beckham to secure a draw.
"At times in the first half we played the kind of football you won't see anywhere for a long time. It was absolutely magnificent," said Fergie.
"The rhythm and tempo was terrific but then we ended up scrapping to get a point out of the game in the end.
"So I'm disappointed and I'm sure all the players are disappointed, too.
"The only thing we can take from it is we were 2-1 down with 15 minutes to go away from home and we've taken something out of it.
"But that I suppose is a quality which has always been with them.
"They never give in."
United looked to be heading for a rare defeat after a David Beckham own goal and a wonder strike from Keith Gillespie had cancelled out Ryan Giggs' first half opener.
But Beckham then made amends by curling home a hotly-disputed late leveller -- although Fergie admits he was angry the ref had given a free kick in the first place.
"I actually thought he should have given the advantage even though our player was fouled," said the United boss.
"But that's happening all the time these days where referees are stopping games far too quickly.
"It happened two or three times in the first half when we were attacking and the ball ended up being brought back 10 or 15 yards for us to take a free kick.
"So it was annoying when the game was stopped again at that point but luckily it turned out fortuitously for us."
Ferguson did pay tribute, however, to Rovers keeper Brad Friedel for keeping his team in the game.
"Their goalkeeper had a marvellous game, he made some marvellous saves and we were a bit unlucky just before half-time when we could have gone in 2-0 up.
"If we had done so then I think we would have had three or four.
"But at the end of the day there was a carelessness and slackness at the back which has been quite evident in the last few weeks.
"We've allowed a potential win to be thrown away.
"So we got what we deserved and we can't complain.
"They got stuck into us and they can be well satisfied with a point."
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