I WAS absolutely delighted when Rovers broke the deadlock against Boro on Saturday for several reasons.

Of course the goal put us in front late on and helped us to a crucial three points, keeping us within a few points of the play-offs.

On top of that, it was yet another screamer in a season that is starting to make the goal of the year competition worth watching.

It was also the player who scored, Jason Lowe, that was reason to celebrate.

In previous seasons, Lowe has come in for some criticism from Rovers fans.

He is one of those players who, because his contribution to a game is not overly noticeable, became something of a scapegoat.

But the fact of the matter is we need players like Lowe in the mix.

For starters, he has risen through the youth team ranks to become an established member of the first team.

What better role model could you ask for where those in the current youth set up are concerned?

As a long-standing member of the first team he provides some important continuity at a time when things are changing at the club far too often.

And on the pitch, Lowe has developed into a solid all-round player.

Despite being often maligned by the supporters, Lowe has been a consistent feature of the first team for a string of Rovers managers, so they must all see something in him.

For me, Lowe has come on in leaps and bounds this season.

He is a good old-fashioned midfield workhorse who will put in 110 per cent every game and be involved in as much of the play as he can.

He doesn’t shy away and go into hiding, he gets stuck in, and that is precisely what we need in the centre of the park.

Gary Bowyer, who is clearly a big fan, recently called on him to add goals to his game, and he duly delivered in the next match.

Maybe Bowyer should ask him for next week’s lottery numbers as well...