Rovers played their part in a thrilling final day encounter to end on a winning note – albeit not enough to claim a play-off place as they missed out on goal difference.

They did secure their highest-placed finish of seventh after the most unlikely of comebacks as they roared back from 3-1 down to secure a 4-3 win at Millwall.

While that wasn’t enough for Rovers, who missed out to Sunderland on goal difference, it denied Millwall their place in the top six as they dropped to eighth. 

Needing a win at the very least to keep alive their slim chances of a top six finish, they looked to have been the architects of their own downfall at either end of the first half.

A nightmare start saw them behind inside eight minutes, with the linesman’s flag coming to their rescue just three minutes later when ruling out what looked to be a Millwall second.

An Adam Wharton cracker reduced the deficit at the midway point of the half, from which point Rovers began to dominate and frustrate the home crowd.

Yet they imploded before the break, conceding two shambolic goals in a two minute period that looked to have ended their hopes with 45 minutes of the season remaining.

While results didn’t go their way at any point of the afternoon, Rovers weren’t to know as they roared back with an inspired second half, with Ben Brereton signing off his time at the club with two goals to win it, after Joe Rankin-Costello reduced the arrears soon after the restart.

It means that for the second successive season Rovers have thrown away an excellent chance of finishing in the top six, with spotlight in particular shone on the January window, and other nearly moments throughout the season.

However, they go into the break on the most remarkable of finishes to a rollercoaster campaign that Jon Dahl Tomasson will take plenty of encouragement from.

Rovers were again without a recognised striker, with Sam Gallagher not fit enough to make his return, as Ryan Hedges led the line.

The one change to the starting XI saw Sorba Thomas start for only the second time in nine games, replacing Tyrhys Dolan on the right flank.

A side lacking in height always looked susceptible to Millwall’s set piece threat, with 23 goals scored via that particular route.

They had an early scare before falling behind eight minutes in as a long thrown dropped at the feet of Duncan Watmore whose shot clattered the underside of the bar but bounced over the line.

That was lift-off for the home crowd who presented a hostile atmosphere from the off.

Three minutes later Zian Flemming hit the inside of the post with a free kick, and although Tom Bradshaw wheeled away in celebration after turning in the rebound, the flag cut short his celebrations.

That was a huge let-off for Rovers, but one they looked to have taken advantage of when Wharton bent a shot around the outstretched arm of George Long.

They were back in the game and had quietened the home crowd and almost took the lead when Long when needed two attempts to hold when a short corner was worked to Joe Rankin-Costello who took aim from the edge of the box.

Yet from the next Rovers corner, Millwall broke to take the lead. It owed much to a calamitous mix-up between Aynsley Pears and Harry Pickering saw the left back head a hopeful Burke ball beyond the advancing ‘keeper, allowing Watmore to slot into the empty net.

If that wasn’t bad, then within a minute Wharton’s loose pass was picked up by Burke who fired a shot across Pears and into the corner.

Facing a huge task in the second half, Jon Dahl Tomasson replaced Lewis Travis and Thomas with Callum Brittain and Dolan in a move that saw Rankin-Costello move into midfield.

He would give Rovers a lifeline within six minutes of the restart, making the most of Long only parrying a Brereton free-kick to pull one goal back.

The game had now swung completely in Rovers’ favour who were in complete control.

They went close to a quickfire double themselves, levelling with 63 minutes on the watch as the ball ran for Brereton curl a beautiful effort around Long for his 15th of the season.

He thought he had a 16th when going through within a minute, dinking the ball over Long, and while his effort hit the post, it ran for Dolan who couldn’t steer into the empty net.

By this point Sunderland were cruising at Preston North End, one of the results that needed to go in Rovers’ favour, but Millwall’s place was under threat as the intensity upped around The Den.

Rovers then thought they had a fourth, Brittain’s cross met by Brereton at the far post, with his header kept out by a combination of a goal-line clearance and the crossbar.

Brittain then had a header saved by Long from a Rovers corner as the game became increasingly stretched.

Millwall threw on forwards, sensing the need for a goal, but Rovers knew not of the situation elsewhere and continued to press.

The remarkable turnaround was then complete when Rovers claimed a winner four minutes from time. Brereton led the charge before stealing in at the far post to tap home from a Szmodics cross.

It proved to be his last involvement, likely in a Rovers shirt, with Daniel Ayala then sent on, with Bradley Dack also sent on for what could also be his farewell appearance.

They soaked up the applause of the 2,000-strong away end at the final whistle who showed their appreciation for the efforts not only at The Den, but the season as a whole.