Tony Mowbray’s delight after hard fought Addicks wins

Tony Mowbray paid tribute to his Blackburn Rovers side after they knuckled down to net a hard-working 2-0 win over Charlton at Ewood Park.

The win, Rovers sixth straight in League One, was secured with an early own-goal from Charlton’s Leon Best and a stoppage time header from Danny Graham at the end of the contest.

Blackburn have been playing some wonderful football lately and scoring at will, but the second half against Charlton turned into a real physical battle on a bitterly cold December afternoon. That his side found a way to get the job done in different circumstances, was ultimately pleasing for the Rovers manager. “We knew it would be a tough game against a tough side, but we also knew we’d get some chances as they came to play,” he reflected. “We showed great resilience in the second half. We showed bundles of character and spirit in the second half.

You can’t be dominant like Man City or winning 4-2 every week. “We’ve been a bit more cavalier in our approach in recent weeks so I’m pleased we’ve got the clean sheet. It was a different tactic and a different win today.” The win kept Blackburn one point and one place behind Shrewsbury in the second automatic promotion place and Mowbray has seen enough in his career to know the value in grinding out victory without playing well. “It’s great to win when you’re not at your best.

You have to read crosses, head off the line and get blocks in, which we did at times,” he added.

Blackburn are 3.75 to win League One this season, with current leaders Wigan Athletic 1.36.