AJAYI DOUBLE GIVES WARNE A TIMELY LIFT
ROTHERHAM United manager Paul Warne praised double scorer Semi Ajayi following their win over Blackburn.
Ajayi, who has been converted from a defender to a defensive midfielder, now has three goals in two games and four since the end of January.
He netted the opener and the decisive goal as Rotherham ended their winless run of nine games to give their survival chances a major boost.
Warne said: “We were a bit nervy and it sounds a stupid thing to say, but I think we scored too early.
“For us to beat them gives the lads a bit of confidence.
“It’s three massive points in this league. To get three points, when not playing so well, is a treat.
“Overall I am really proud of the points and the lads for digging in. All we can do is try to win and it looks like we have pulled other teams into it.
“We have been working with him (Semi) because his timing is not bad and his leap is a joke, but then it doesn’t seem to hit him. He got two headers and if he got two every week I’d be well happy. It’s good to share the goals out.
“We don’t make it easy but we are good value for money.”
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray was furious at his side’s defensive display as they made it six games without victory.
He said: “It’s a common theme now. If you can’t keep clean sheets you are not going to win games.
“There were a lot of positives but the negatives are there right in front of our faces.
“If you can’t get the ball out of your box then you’re in trouble. This is not just a one off. It has happened for four or five weeks. There is an inability to keep clean sheets.
“We are going to have to win a few more matches but I will sort it out when I get a chance. The players have been told that. They have to dig in, stick together and keep going.”
Rotherham were ahead after just 96 seconds when Ajayi powered in Will Vaulks’s long throw into the corner.
Jack Rodwell had the visitors’ first effort on target but his overhead kick was straight at Marek Rodak.
Amari’i Bell then had a tricky run into the box stopped by fellow full-back Billy Jones as Rotherham saw off a spell of Blackburn pressure at the end of the first half.
Charlie Mulgrew almost took advantage of the windy conditions with a corner that almost crept over the line.
It was the Scot’s delivery which led to Blackburn’s equaliser in the 51st minute. Rotherham failed to clear the initial ball in, and Bell was on hand to hook the ball into the net.
Rotherham were back in front after 57 minutes when half-time substitute Ryan Williams nipped in ahead of Raya
to prod the ball in from Michael Smith’s knockdown.
Rotherham needed another goal to settle their nerves and it came in the 83rd minute.
Nigerian international Ajayi towered above the Blackburn defence to thunder a header into the top corner.
Mulgrew converted a penalty in the third minute of added-on time, after Billy Jones hauled back Graham after Dack’s shot had cannoned off a post.