Jon Dahl Tomasson said Rovers found a ‘brilliant answer’ to respond with a 2-1 win over Reading at Ewood Park.

Rovers were pegged back by Reading midway through the second half, and at that stage were staring at a frustrating night having missed a host of chances to extend the lead given to them by Ben Brereton.

It was the first goal that Rovers had conceded in six matches at Ewood, four of which had ended 1-0.

Yet they won it 2-1 as Ryan Hedges came off the bench to score his third of the season and secure a priceless three points.

On being posed a different question to previous home wins, Tomasson said: “And a brilliant answer.

“The lads and the fans had a brilliant answer and I’ve spoken about the great atmosphere against Sheffield United.

“I have spoken about that energy within the crowd and the players and I think we had that and we need that in the last five games at home.

“It was great to score that late.

"We know at this stage each win gives confidence and belief. Our fans are allowed to dream, they should always dream. We are surprised to be near the play-offs but we will chase it."

Tomasson says the win feels even more important given the stage of the season, with this Rovers’ final league game before the international break.

It was a 13th home win, the most of any season since relegation from the Premier League, and helped build a lead over seventh-placed Norwich City to five points.

The two goals Rovers scored were pleasing to Tomasson, the first a fine counter-attack finished off by Brereton, the second a neat flick from Sam Gallagher to set Hedges through to fire home

 “I am extremely pleased with the win at this stage,” Tomasson said.

“At this stage in the league, every win feels more important. It was great to bounce back after our game against Stoke.

“We scored an excellent goal after two minutes, it was excellent football with a great transition moment.

“It was a great finish. We should have scored more goals with our chances in the first half.

"I was not happy with the speed in the first half, we played too slow.

“You can always concede a goal when you are only 1-0 up. We conceded a goal but we played an excellent second half, plenty of chances. When you concede, you keep believing.

"The fans were behind the team and it was a great effort from the lads. They showed great togetherness and spirit and great football.

"We could've won 6-1 and we are extremely pleased with the win and another three points at Ewood Park."

Rovers passed up a number of chances to add to their early strike, with Gallagher and Hayden Carter going close in the first half, while Sam Szmodics was denied by the post.

Gallagher, Brereton and Sorba Thomas all went close at the start of the second half before Cesare Casadei levelled with a long-range strike.

The game was therefore in the balance, and Tomasson said: “It's about keeping believing. We had chances to hit the target and to score goals, we hit the post.

“Believing is key. It was great to hear the fans behind the teams and push us over the line.

“In football, if you aren't clinical you can always lose it.

“You can see how good the league is. You can win and lose every game in this league.

“We have been very consistent in 2023 but we could lose the next game because it's a great opponent.”