Boss Sam Allardyce was delighted to see his new charges record their first win in twelve outings with the 3-0 victory over Stoke City.

Benni McCarthy hit a brace either side of a strike from Jason Roberts, as Rovers gave the supporters a present of a vital three points.

Speaking to Radio Rovers after the game, Allardyce said: "It was a great start for us, especially from my point of view.

"I was anxious to see the lads on the field today, of course to see if we got the right reaction.

"I hadn't had a lot input from myself, but the passion and the desire of the players was what I was looking for and I got that. Then the organisation and the defensive qualities that seem to have been lacking recently and I got that.

"I know they can score goals, and the quality of the finishing was outstanding.

"For long periods of the game we had to cope with what Stoke had thrown at us, but we worked on that and it has paid handsomely.

"More importantly for me, people might say that the three goals were important, but we haven't conceded a one and that was really important and if we can build on that and instead of needing three goals to win a game we can get one to win a game, particularly away from home then we'll do okay.

"It is early days yet, it is a great start but we still have a long way to go."