MILLERS SEE LIGHT AT END OF SCHEDULE

MICHAEL SMITH says Rotherham will relish the challenge of a game every three days to earn their Championship survival.

After scoring his 100th career goal, the 29-year-old striker spoke about the hectic five weeks to come when the Millers return to action at Millwall on Good Friday.

This win leaves Rotherham just three points behind fourth-frombottom Birmingham, with four games in hand, and Smith (above) said: “It’s going to be crazy but the lads are looking forward to it.

“We must set out to enjoy it. Every match is a huge one now and we have achieved a massive result, especially with Sheffield Wednesday winning as well.

“It showed the character in our dressing room that we bounced back from defeat in midweek. But we know we have to keep on performing at this level.”

Smith, who beat keeper Dan Bentley to Wes Harding’s 44th minute cross to head home, added: “I only learned after the game that it was my 100th goal.”

Skipper Richard Wood sealed the points on 74 minutes, heading home Dan Barlaser’s corner.

Richie Barker, in charge of the team while manager Paul Warne is in self-isolation, said: “I’m proud of the players. It’s a boost for Paul and everyone else at the club.”

For City, the outcome extended a club record run of home defeats to six games, in which they have scored just once.

Boss Nigel Pearson, who is said to be eyeing full-back Danny Simpson, a free agent who played under him at Leicester, said: “We were comfortable until going behind. We have to respond better to setbacks at home.”

BRISTOL CITY: Bentley 5, Hunt 6 (Pearson 78), Mariappa 6, Kalas 6 (Vyner 27, 6), Sessegnon 6, Massengo 6 (Bell 78), Walsh 7, Wells 6, Palmer 6 (Lansbury 59, 6), O’Dowda 7, Diedhiou 5 (Semenyo 59, 6)

ROTHERHAM: Johansson 7, Ihiekwe 7, Wood 8, A Macdonald 7, Harding 7, Wing 7 (Clarke 87), Barlaser 7 (S. Macdonald 87), Crooks 8, Giles 6 (Olosunde 65, 6), Ladapo 6 (Jozefzoon 75), Smith 7 (Hirst 87).

MOTM

RICHARD WOOD (ROTHERHAM)