Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe hands out his player ratings after the defeat at Preston North End. 

David Raya 5

Beaten by three smart finishes and one tap-in, with only one other save to make from a Paul Gallagher free kick.

Ryan Nyambe 5

Endured a torrid opening 10 minutes, and troubled throughout by Callum Robinson, but to his credit was full of running in attack.

Darragh Lenihan 4

Caught out by Browne’s smart touch for the opener, and looked a little too eager to win the ball at times. Should have scored with a header from a corner.

Charlie Mulgrew 5

Drew a fine save from Rudd with a free kick but looked off the pace at times in defence, uncharacteristically caught out of position.

Derrick Williams 4

Troubled by the movement of Barkhuizen, not least for the third Preston goal. Another who looked shaky in his defensive work.

Harrison Reed 6 (MAN OF THE MATCH)

Thundered in to two challenges in injury time to show that he wasn’t giving up. Some of his recovery work was excellent and one of the few to emerge with any credit. Was his free kick from which Graham scored.

Richie Smallwood 5

No shortage of effort, not least in the incident which led to his booking. Sacrificed at the break with Rovers 2-0 down.

Elliott Bennett 5

Came up with the cross for Dack’s header which went close, but didn’t make the most of his first half space. Drew a good save from Rudd with a second half 25-yarder.

Bradley Dack 5

Twice denied by Rudd in the first half, but struggled for impact throughout with Pearson always close by. Rovers need to find a way of getting the best out of him.

Kasey Palmer 4

Didn’t look comfortably in a central striking role and an experiment we may not see again. Ineffective on the wing after switching at the break.

Adam Armstrong 4

Rovers struggled to get him in behind the Preston backline and wasn’t utilised in the right areas before his substitution.

Subs

Danny Graham (for Smallwood, 46) 6

Found the net just three minutes after coming on. Tried to link-up with Dack where possible.

Joe Rothwell (for Armstrong, 65) 5

A couple of trademark runs came to nothing.

Ben Brereton (for Palmer, 69) 5

Unfortunate to see what would have been a first Rovers goal wrongly chalked off for offside.

Not used: Jayson Leutwiler, Jack Rodwell, Amari’i Bell, Craig Conway