John Eustace believes Blackburn Rovers are developing into a team that can challenge at the top end of the Championship table.

Rovers have been hard to beat and defensively sound since the head coach took the reigns in February. But the attacking side of their game has evolved this season.

Their ability to create chances, particularly against top opposition, is ever improving, with the next step ensuring they are more clinical to capitalise on those opportunities.

They did that at Middlesbrough with Dom Hyam turning in Todd Cantwell's cross after a quality move. Eustace believes that side of their game is blossoming.

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"I think we're evolving and growing as a group, we believe that," he said.

"It is a lot of hard work on the training pitch, with and without the ball. I thought we were excellent with it in the first half today. Second half, we could've been braver at times but we're up against a very good team.

"They're a team that will be in the top six so to come here and go about our business in that way was very pleasing.

"It's important that whoever we play, there will be good and bad results. We have to believe in the process and the way we're playing.

"We had a bad run of three defeats in a row but the performances were good. You can't get carried away and disappointed too much with that.

"We have now bounced back with two very good performances and we got the results. We believe in what we're doing but there will be bumps in the road."

"The work we do on the training pitch, we do a lot of work with and without the ball," he added.

"You have to show two sides to the game and we did that. I thought we were outstanding with the ball first half but needed a bit more belief in that final third.

"The way they then defended in that second half and we always believed we'd get an opportunity on the counter-attack. We had a couple of chances and we were thankfully Dom (Hyam) put it in.

"It was very evident how we wanted to set up. You have to respect a top team and a top manager with fantastic players. To come here and keep a clean sheet is a huge credit to the boys.

"We've shown all season we can be resilient. It's a long season, you will have moments of pressure and moments where you can play. 

"I believe you finish where you deserve to be after 46 games."

Cantwell was denied his first goal in Blackburn Rovers colours by the offside flag. But he then delivered the telling pass which helped secure three points.

In the number 10 role, his influence on the team is growing. Eustace still thinks there is more to come though.

"I don't think he had his best game, he came off and said he didn't do much right!" Eustace said.

"The assist was great though and he was unlucky with the offside goal, it was marginal. He is a brilliant player, he's getting better and better, he is influencing the team more and more.

"The lads love playing with him. He's a top performer."