MILLERS ON THE MARCH BUT WARNE RULES OUT TOP TWO
ROTHERHAM manager Paul Warne played down chasing automatic promotion despite a narrow win against table-topping Shrewsbury.
Millers skipper Richard Wood’s strike just before the break proved the difference as the Yorkshire side cut the gap to Salop to just five points.
Despite their sixth successive win and being unbeaten in 13 league outings, Warne believes in solidifying a play-off position, but hopes his side can replicate their performance against the league leaders in their upcoming clashes.
“If there was 30 games left there’d be a chance but you literally have to win about 12 out of 14 and then still hope the ones above you lose.” he said.
“All we can do is keep winning our games and try and cement us a place in the play-offs and if we play like this, we’ll be a challenge for most teams.
“Everyone really believes in this group, they’re an amazing group of gentlemen, and they keep winning and they get a little bit more belief each time.”
Bearly 20 seconds were on the clock when Shaun Whalley burst down the right for the league leaders and delivered a teasing cross which Nathan Thomas just missed.
The visitors could have gone ahead on five minutes when Semi Ajayi’s flick found Michael Smith and the striker’s low shot crept inches wide, while Carlton Morris headed just over at the other end moments later during a frantic opening.
Some dazzling feet from Rotherham’s David Ball left three Shrewsbury players in his wake and would have curled in a delightful 14th-minute opener were it not for Dean Henderson’s sharp reactions.
The Millers continued to apply pressure and Henderson parried Joe Newell’s 18th-minute effort.
Jon Nolan’s ball on 25 minutes released Whalley to go clean through but Millers stopper Marek Rodak was quick off his line to charge out and smother the
winger’s effort. Whalley’s corner on the half-hour was eventually stabbed towards goal by James Bolton, while Newell’s dangerous 36th-minute delivery was nodded off target by Ajayi at the other end.
Millers man Newell lashed into the stands from range two minutes later, but the Millers took the lead when Michael Ihiekwe nodded down Anthony Forde’s cross for skipper Wood to slot home on the stroke of half-time.
Shrews skipper Abu Ogogo stung Rodak’s palms following the restart with a fiercely struck effort, while Omar Beckles flicked on after the hour for Thomas but the Millers stopper denied the Salop man with a sublime save.
Newell skipped past two Shrewsbury challenges with just over 10 minutes left to tee up Smith as the striker swept wide, while Whalley volleyed well over two minutes before the end as Salop fell to successive home league defeats.
Though fellow automatic promotion chasers Blackburn and Wigan did not play yesterday, Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst believes his side are still in a fantastic position at League One’s summit, but lamented the goal Salop conceded.
“We know that we’re top because of others not playing. We’ll see what results come along, but one thing is for definite – we are still in a fantastic position,” he said.
“It’s a poor one, it’s a wrong decision and a tap-in. People have had a lot of credit throughout the season and if things go the other way, you have to be able to take it on the chin and move on from it.
“You can see why they’re winning games. They’re very hard to play against, a big threat from set-plays and a physical side that don’t give you time on the ball.”