Manning so optimistic after magnificent seven on spin

LIAM MANNING spoke of optimism building for next season after seeing his Bristol City team increase their unbeaten run to seven games.

Tommy Conway fired the Robins in front on 32 minutes, sending Dillon Phillips the wrong way with a powerful spot-kick after going down under challenge by the Rotherham goalkeeper as he tried to round him.

Scott Twine ensured another afternoon of misery for the relegated Millers with a sweetly struck free-kick from 25 yards on 57 minutes and Manning’s men might have won by a bigger margin with more clinical finishing.

The head coach said: “I always believe fans should dream as long as they understand the processes involved in trying to make the dreams happen.

“It means everyone involved looking to be the best they can possibly be day in, day out. Only by doing that can you build the consistency needed to win promotion.”

The outcome might have been different had Rotherham striker Tom Eaves not shot too close to goalkeeper Max O’leary early on.

Boss Steve Evans said: “Goals change games and I would like to have seen how we fared if going in front.

“I thought at the time that it wasn’t a penalty and having seen it again I know the referee got it wrong, but we were clearly second best.” BRISTOL CITY: O’leary 7; Tanner 7 Dickie 7, Roberts 7; Mccrorie 7, Williams 7, James 7 (Knight (63) 6), Pring 7 (Morrison 86); Mehmeti 7 (Sykes (63) 6), Conway 8 (Wells (63) 6), Twine 8 (King (81) 6) ROTHERHAM: Phillips 7; Revan 6 (Seriki (67) 6), Peltier 6, Humphreys 6, Bramall 6; Rathbone 7 (Hatton 88), Rinomhota 6, Odoffin 7; Appiah 6 (Hall (46) 6); Hugill 6 (Nombe (67) 6), Eaves 6 STAR MAN: Scott Twine – Eye-catching display from City’s attacking midfielder capped by a special goal. REF: Charles Breakspear 8