Owen Beck hailed Rovers’ character following Harry Leonard’s last-gasp equaliser against Sunderland.

The full-back admitted there was a tinge of frustration not to take all three points after making a strong start at Ewood Park.

But Beck praised his team-mates for refusing to be beaten as they secured another valuable point against quality opposition.

“It was a bit of an end-to-end game,” the Liverpool loanee reflected. “It was a bit disappointing for us because, first half, I thought we had complete control of the game and I felt like there was only really one team in it.

“Second half, they get two quick goals and suddenly the game changes. We needed to dig in and show a bit of character to not lose the game.

“We know in the changing room that we can do better to keep that control and kind of see the game out from there.

“But it is a learning curve and in the end, we have to credit ourselves for sticking in and making sure we didn’t lose the game.

“They are a good team, in good form and doing well this season. It shows how well we are doing as well.

“First half, I don’t think they had a sniff really and then a 10-minute spell cost us. It is frustrating, but we will go again in a couple of days to hopefully get the three points.”

The squad were delighted for Leonard, who has had a tough spell with injuries over the past few months.

“He has been through a bit of a tough period with his injury and coming back from that, he fully deserves it,” Beck insisted.

“He is a great player in training, he has shown everyone how good his finishing is. For him to come on and get the equaliser, I am buzzing for him.

“We should also give real credit to the fans, they were excellent. They came in their numbers and when we needed them late on, they stuck with us. We got a goal for them.”

The Welshman was up against tricky winger Patrick Roberts throughout the contest, and it was a challenge he relished.

“He is a good player,” Beck stated. “I had watched a few clips of him before the game and knew he likes to come in on his left foot.

“He can also go on his right so he is a tricky player to deal with, I thought it was a good battle.”

Rovers celebrate the opening goal (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker) The league table looks rather positive heading into the New Year, but the squad are keeping their feet firmly on the ground and refusing to look too far ahead.

“We are where we are in the league because we are a good team, but I don’t think we should be looking as far into that as other people do,” said Beck.

“For us, it is just game by game and they come thick and fast. We need to dust ourselves off and get ready for Hull at home, then three days later we have another game at Leeds.

“I don’t really think we are really in a position to be talking where we need to finish and this or that.

“Just keep doing our jobs, keep winning games and picking up points, and we will be where we deserve to be at the end of the season.”

The 22-year-old played the full 90 minutes at Hull last month as John Eustace’s side showed their inner steel to keep a clean sheet on the road.

Despite the demanding schedule, Beck is determined to help Rovers keep getting points on the board and heading in the right direction.

“We know what we need to do to recover and be in the right mindset for the next game,” he continued. “I am sure we will do that and be feeling good to go again.

“It is the same as any other game really, we go in with the mindset to win the game. We will be doing our homework on Hull and when it comes around, we will be ready for it.

“They are a good side. We played them not long ago, away from home in difficult conditions, and probably didn’t get a feel for them as a team as much as you usually would because of the conditions.

“It was a bit of a scrappy game. But I am sure we will be ready for it when it comes and our mindset is looking to go out, back at Ewood, and get the three points.”