Jon Dahl Tomasson could see “a team who is fighting for each other” during the 2-1 defeat against Hull City.

Rovers played most of the game with 10 men after Harry Pickering was shown a straight red card for bringing down Liam Delap on the edge of the box.

Sam Gallagher put Rovers in front in the second half but Hull forward Aaron Connolly struck twice in the final 10 minutes to ensure his side would return to Yorkshire with all three points.

“I think it was a brilliant effort. You can see a team who is fighting for each other, a great spirit, playing good football and even creating chances with 10 men – and big ones,” said Tomasson.

“We are, of course, disappointed with the result. We didn’t deserve it.”

Goals were an issue for Rovers at times last season, but they created several good opportunities against the Tigers.

Tomasson has been pleased with side’s attacking play since the start of the new campaign despite losing a couple of key attackers over the summer.

“I think we created a lot,” he continued. “If you take into consideration that we played with 10 men, it is really good.

“You can see the principles we have been working on for more than a year. It is a very clear identity of playing and we are creating chances with them.

“It would have been nice if we could have scored one more goal.”

Many teams would have sat back and parked the bus after going down to 10 men, but Rovers still tried to get on the front foot and be positive.

Tomasson felt his side generally did a good job of keeping a dangerous Hull attack at bay but was frustrated to concede a couple of “unnecessary” goals.

“I think we were defending quite solid, our organisation was good,” he explained. “It was not easy for Hull to create chances.

“Of course, they had a couple of moments which you would expect when you are playing almost 80 minutes with 10 players.

“They are a good team, but I think the organisation was good. I am disappointed with the goals we conceded because it was things we could see and passes we could see.”