Rovers' display against Arsenal in this weekend's FA Cup clash may not have been one for the "purists" - whoever they are - but I for one found our magnificent defensive display against one of the finest attacking sides in football to be classic viewing material.

Few, if any, expected Rovers to get anything out of the lunchtime clash at the Emirates, where no domestic side had to date managed to keep a clean sheet and the Arsenal were in free-scoring form.

Rovers' patched up side took to the field in the early Spring sunshine hoping to avoid a mauling akin to their recent 6-2 defeat, a score which did little to reflect the balanced nature of the fixture.

What followed was a 90 minute display of defensive masterclass, from stand up individual performances from the likes of Admiral (Ryan) Nelsen and the towering Chris Samba to a back-to-basics demonstration of how to play as a team unit.

Every player, regardless of his on-the-ball contribution stuck to his task selflessly to give Rovers the privilege of having their name in the hat for the quarter final-draw. Again.

And what more can you say about Brad Friedel? Largely redundant for 75 minutes or so, thanks to the Royal Marine-like discipline and positioning of the Admiral and his defenders before him, he kept his concentration levels high as always to pull off a series of stunning saves at the end to give Rovers a deserved draw.

Even if I take my blue-and-white tinted spectacles off, I honestly cannot believe there is a better goalkeeper around.

The games are coming thick and fast for Rovers now, and I for one love it.

I hope the fans can share the commitment the players showed on Saturday, and turn up in the numbers they should for the replay, our first home FA Cup tie this year.

If so this could well be the year that Rovers add to their unmatchable FA Cup folklore by being the first to lift the grand old trophy at the new Wembley.