WITH Tony Mowbray intent on playing a more possession-based game, one man who could be integral to that is Joe Rothwell.

Having ended last season as Rovers’ in-form man, he showed just why there is so much promise forf the new campaign as he impressed in a regulation pre-season win at Bury with a stunning goal and his trademark neat touches.

Operating more centrally this time around, it allowed him to cause more damage than be restricted to simply a wide left role. While he had to be patient for opportunities last term, it would be a surprise not to see him play a more prominent role this time around.  

New signing Christian Walton was at Gigg Lane, but only as a spectator, though Sam Gallagher did get his first official run-out of pre-season as Rovers ran out 3-0 winners.

Interestingly it was Ben Brereton who led the line, with Gallagher used from the right.

Mowbray’s options are plentiful in attack, a far cry from the crisis-hit hosts whose side was made up of non-contracted players and trialists.

There was still plenty to admire about the way Rovers moved the ball however, and Rothwell almost opened the scoring from a quickly-taken corner which saw him blast just wide.

That was the same fate for a thumping Joe Rankin-Costello strike, while at the other end he certainly had his hands full early on against the lively Harry Bunn.

When Rovers’ opener arrived it was full of quality. First Brereton held off to defenders and from the moment Rothwell picked it up, there was only one thing on his mind. After taking a touch to steady himself he arrowed a shot in to the top corner from 25 yards.

The second, arriving nine minutes before the break, was just as accomplished. The ball was moved out wide to Rankin-Costello with Brereton perfectly place to head home his cross.

The one downside of the first half came in the closing stages when Sam Hart was forced off injured.

Bury’s best work was being reserved for their left-hand side where Callum Booth was offering good width, but Jayson Leutwiler was enjoying a comfortable evening before the second raft of changes arrived.

For all their territory, chances were few and far between for Rovers who were often guilty of looking to be too cute.

That wasn’t a word that could be said for the challenge by Denzell Gravenberch on Bradley Dack as the Rovers attacker raced on to a Stewart Downing pass, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.

To their credit, Bury stuck at it, despite the obvious difference in quality and cohesion.

Adam Armstrong tested Garratt’s handling with a fizzing low drive but it was more of a keep-ball exercise in the final quarter.

Dack hadn’t enjoyed the best of evenings, but went close twice in a matter of minutes, drawing a flying save from Garratt before a thumping volley from a Downing corner was heading in until it clattered in to Armstrong.

The pair combined to great effect late on as a stunning pass put Armstrong clear and he finished confidently first time in the last action of the game.

Rovers: Leutwiler (Fisher, 61), Rankin-Costello, Nyambe (Magloire, 61), Grayson (Mulgrew, 46), Hart (Bell, 45), Smallwood (Travis, 61), Johnson (Downing, 46), Buckley (Dack, 46), Rothwell, Gallagher (Graham, 46), Brereton (Armstrong, 61)