Millers a glass act to ease Warne woe

UNDER-FIRE boss Paul Warne celebrated Rotherham’s first win in over a month with a welcome glass of red wine.

First-half goals from midfielder Matt Crooks and striker Michael Smith did the trick as the misfiring Millers ended a miserable six-game run.

Amazingly it was the Yorkshire side’s first win over the Robins for five years.

Warne admitted his job was under threat earlier this week after one of the worst runs in his four-year tenure.

But first-team coach Matt Hamshaw stressed the players and staff are right behind him.

He said: “The gaffer has made no secret we’ve been on a bad run but we’re all in it together.

“We believe the manager is the best man for the job.

“We’re not a million miles off. There’s no shadow of a doubt we are good enough to stay in this league.

“He shouldn’t feel the pressure, it was good to see him sipping a glass of red wine after the game which is unheard of.”

Robins skipper Tomas Kalas conceded a needless free-kick on the edge of his own box after only four minutes which led to the Millers’ opener.

Crooks rose tallest to power in a stinging header.

Matt Olosunde picked out Smith to poke home the second four minutes before the break.

City manager Dean Holden said: “We weren’t able to find the spark – that’s the first time it’s happened this season.”

ROTHERHAM: Johansson 7; Wiles

7, MacDonald 7, Wood 7, Ihiekwe 7; Lindsay 7 (Jones 88th), Crooks 8, Barlaser 7, Olosunde 7 (Harding 88th); Smith 7 (Hirst 90th), Vassell 7 (Ladapo

(65th) 5)

BRISTOL CITY: Bentley 5; Rowe 5, Kalas 4, Vyner 4 (Mariappa (46th) 5); Hunt 5 (Diedhiou (46th) 5); O’Dowda

5, Nagy 5 (Massengo 82nd), Wells 6, Semenyo 6 (Edwards 82nd); Bakinson

5 (Brunt (63rd) 5), Martin 5

Matt Crooks

L Doughty