How can one point be better than another? Well, it can't, but the feeling leaving Middlesbrough was one of optimism despite another draw for Blackburn Rovers.

Eight out of John Eustace's 10 matches in league and cup have now finished level after 90 minutes following Rovers' stalemate at The Riverside Stadium. But this felt like a far better point than those that have come before.

Two weeks previous, Rovers had played out one of the most drab goalless affairs I've covered at Cardiff City. A match with no quality or threat of a goal.

At Middlesbrough, it was an entertaining watch. Both teams had good spells, created chances and passed up opportunities to win the match.

READ MORE: Rovers ratings as Hyam and Hedges impress

Whilst the mood has been doom and gloom after two points from three crucial games and off-field issues this week, Rovers produced an uplifting performance, even if the desired three-point haul did not follow.

Rovers felt as likely to win the match at Middlesbrough as they did to lose it, which is positive considering their away form and the fact the hosts have won three in a row. You can't say that about every draw Rovers have played out recently.

They looked after the ball much better. They grew into the game and there was a much-improved balance between being more defensive sound and still playing progressive football.

There were moments when they had to ride their luck too. Only Marcus Forss will know how he sent Luke Ayling's flick-on from a corner back across the goal for a throw, rather than into the gaping net.

But at the other end, Rovers were a threat and not just on the counter-attack. They had passages of play where they dominated and sustained attacks.

Ryan Hedges was central to their good play. They have been robbed of his services for most of the season due to injury and he has been a big miss.

The Welshman has bags of ability, he is one of the more technically gifted in the squad - just cast your mind back to that goal at Watford. We would all like more end product in the sense of goals and assists, but he looks after the ball fantastically well.

He started to drift from his starting spot on the right and encouraged Rovers to play through the lines. When one player takes responsibility like that, the rest usually follow.

His link-up with Sam Gallagher fashioned Rovers' best chance, a cutback for Sam Szmodics which drew a smart save from Sen Dieng. There is no doubt Hedges is better utilised in advanced roles, rather than left-wing-back.

Sondre Tronstad's return was important in the centre of the park, he adds bite to the midfield and control in deeper areas. Overall, the team looked far more balanced in the 4-2-3-1 shape, with an extra attacker to try to create.

The second half brought more back and forth but without either side showing enough penetration or quality to find the incisive pass, touch or finish.

Hedges and Gallagher stung the palms of Dieng from range whilst Aynsley Pears left Teesside having had very little to do. There were a few scares at the end but he was not peppered by any means.

It would be remiss not to mention the golden chance Boro had to win it. Isaiah Jones hit the bar and Sammy Silvera, on as a substitute, took a complete air shot from close range. Another let-off.

But if Rovers had left empty-handed, it would have been very harsh. It was a big step in the right direction based on the performance and balance of play.

Credit to the defence for being so resolute. After working exclusively in a back-five unit for five weeks, the transition to a back-four was seamless. They gave up very few chances.

Dom Hyam looks more comfortable defending central spaces in a back four whilst Scott Wharton continues to recapture the form of 2021/22 under Tony Mowbray.

So with eight massive games to go, Rovers climb a place but the gap remains the same. Even though it's still only three points, there are five teams that have to leapfrog them.

The team will be heavily boosted by the return of Hayden Carter, Kyle McFadzean and Joe Rankin-Costello after the international break. Fingers crossed that everyone else comes through unscathed. 

Having Hedges and Tronstad back made a big difference and no doubt adding the two previously mentioned will do too.

Blackburn Rovers' fans deserve a mention too. They were in fine voice at the Riverside and really backed to the team. After a difficult week off the pitch, they channelled that frustration in the right way and their new chant is very catchy.

You can manipulate the statistics in whatever way you like. Rovers have failed to win any of their last nine Championship matches and have simultaneously only lost two in nine, having lost eight of 11 beforehand.

They haven't conceded more than two goals in a match since Eustace arrived and that's only happened once. As Dom Hyam aptly put post-match, with the league's top-scorer, that gives you a chance.

It doesn't change the mission though. Rovers need to win games in their final eight and will have to spring a surprise in what is a tough run-in.

But given their more winnable games - Sheffield Wednesday side - are away from home, this was an important result. Bristol City and Sunderland do not look like daunting trips.

The other matches will be tougher but the Newcastle United tie showed a galvanised Ewood Park can inspire surprising results.

The international break probably comes at a good time for Rovers. They can rest, recover and work with those still at Brockhall on the training ground. 

It was important they didn't enter a two-week break with bad feeling. The draw at Middlesbrough may not be an improvement on that before it in regards to points, but it certainly felt like a step in the right direction.