ALAN Kelly believes Rovers would have gone on to clinch victory over his former club had Jason McAteer not been red-carded in the first half.

The Republic of Ireland international felt that was the turning point in a keenly fought contest at Bramall Lane.

But although United went on to end Rovers' eight game unbeaten run, he is confident his new club will bounce back.

"It was always going to be hard with 10 men, especially for an hour," said Kelly.

"Neil Warnock's teams like to put people under pressure and you need 11 men to counter it.

"When we went a goal up, Nathan Blake had another chance and, if he'd taken that, then it would have been 2-0.

"With 11 men on the pitch we would have gone on and won the game because I thought we were looking quite comfortable.

"But in the second half we couldn't really get out of our half.

"It's disappointing the run has come to an end but we've got to pick ourselves up for Wednesday now.

"We are a professional bunch of lads and we'll get on with it." Kelly fought off a bout of 'flu in order to play against his former club.

Yet despite the disappointing result, it was still an emotional occasion.

"I was absolutely determined to play. I think I've had half a chemist's in the last few days.

"I was struggling on Saturday but this was one of the games I didn't want to miss.

"It's disappointing coming back and losing.

"I got a fantastic reception, though, especially in the second half when I ran out, and from a personal point of view that is something which will stay with me for a very long time.

"You can't spend seven years at a place and not have a certain affinity with the people who are watching you week in, week out.

"And that's something I aim to build up at Rovers now."

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