Smith late, late show has Warne beaming

MICHAEL Smith’s late intervention drew praise from manager Paul Warne after Rotherham climbed to fifth with victory at

Shrewsbury.

With today’s home outing against fellow promotion-chasers Peterborough on the horizon, it was important for Rotherham to get something out of the game at Shrewsbury, even if Smith did leave it late.

Substitute Smith was on target with a header deep into stoppage time from Adam Thompson’s cross to ensure the Millers took three points home to Yorkshire.

Joe Mattock headed the visitors in front on the hour mark before Aaron Pierre equalised for Shrewsbury from a wellworked freekick six minutes later.

Shrews’ Ryan Giles had a shot well saved by Daniel Iversen while, at the other end, Freddie Ladapo went close for the visitors.

Smith then struck his winner in the dying moments.

Warne said: “I don’t know if that was their only attempt on goal, I don’t remember my keeper making a save, and then the lads came back.

“Obviously, we changed it a little bit, but I’m not taking credit for that, it’s just pure luck really. It’s random the last few minutes and then for Smudge (Smith) to score the winner, it will be great for him and I’m really pleased.”

Shrewsbury had picked up seven points from the last nine available, including a late winner in their last home game when they had hit back from a goal down to beat Coventry.

Manager Sam Ricketts faces taking his side to Bolton today and will be keen to pick up three points.

He admitted: “We had the euphoria of scoring in injury time last time out against Coventry and obviously today it went against us.

“I didn’t think we were great, but we didn’t deserve to lose the game. “I didn’t think we deserved to win it either to be honest, but sometimes these things happen to you in football and you have to learn by it.

“They’re a big side – six, seven lads going in the box every time, and that’s what cost us the game.”

As for the winning goal, Ricketts added: “First of all I was disappointed the foul was given against us when I think it looked like Josh Laurent had been fouled.”