Jon Dahl Tomasson believes Rovers’ win at QPR will build confidence for his players.

Two goals from Sam Gallagher, either side of Sam Szmodics’ strike, gave Rovers a 3-1 win at Loftus Road.

Tim Iroegbanum had equalised for the hosts in the 24th minute, after Gallagher opened the scoring, with Szmodics restoring the advantage in first half stoppage time.

Gallagher doubled the lead on the hour mark, his first goals since October, as he moved to six goals for the season.

The win cemented Rovers’ spot in the top six, moving to 55 points, after a third successive Championship win.

It is now seven games unbeaten in the league for Rovers, who have lost just once in 2023, and head coach Tomasson said: “I am delighted with the result.

“We can all agree that we thoroughly deserved to win, we scored three excellent goals and created more chances.

“We conceded an unnecessary goal, we didn't defend the box well enough but that was the only shot they had on goal. (Aynsley) Pears had an easy day in that way.

"A big credit to all the lads, we played excellently. We all know how difficult it can be to this ground with a new manager as well. They had a lot of energy in the stadium. I am delighted with how the players coped with this situation.

"We controlled it in the second half totally. It was great to see our fans travelling and supporting Rovers, they had an excellent day.

"We have a great spirit and togetherness within the squad.

"It should make the players more confident and it was nice to Sam and Sammie getting the goals."

Gallagher hadn’t found the net since netting against Birmingham City in October, but passed 50 career goals with his double.

“I think he played an extremely good game, not just because he scored,” Tomasson added.

“He was on the front foot, intense without the ball. He had some great link-up play, some good runs off the ball and he was a handful. As a striker, you want goals, you need goals.

“It's been tough in that way but he did a good job for the club.”

The second goal was a pivotal moment, with Szmodics scoring on the stroke of half time, while the third owed much to the excellence of Joe Rankin-Costello.

Tomasson added: “It is. Also the second goal with the pass from Travis before half-time. The third goal was like a PlayStation goal with Joe. That's a brilliant goal on a high level.”

Rovers welcomed back Harry Pickering and Ben Brereton to the squad after missing the midweek win over Blackpool, but neither were required as they remain unused.

The squad continues to be stretched with injuries to key players though, and Tomasson said: “We all know we are stretched at the moment.

“The players are in good shape and when they're called up, the players stepped up. Big credit to the squad.

“They coped with being stretched and coping with the demands and expectations. The league is very intense, it's a brilliant league but we've played a lot of games in a short period of time.

“We stayed together as a group.”