No sulk for Paul as Millers show fight
ROTHERHAM finally ended a run of just one win in nine with a hardfought victory at home to struggling MK Dons, which means Paul Warne won’t be moody over Christmas dinner.
The Dons themselves hadn’t won in five coming into the game, but goals from Jerry Yates and Will Vaulks cancelled out Chuks Aneke’s opener.
And Millers boss Warne saluted his side’s resilience.
“I’m really pleased – we’ve gone behind again but it shows the lads have got really good character, the lads stood up to it really well,” he said.
“Apart from their goal, they didn’t have too many attempts on our goal whilst we had a couple of good chances.
“We knew set-pieces would be a problem for us but our lads have defended really well so I’m pleased – my kids can have turkey on Christmas Day without me sat there sulking!”
MK Dons couldn’t have asked for a better start when Aneke curled home a peach of a free-kick from just outside the box, picking himself up after being fouled as the Dons attacked.
But the lead only lasted ten minutes, the equaliser coming in bizarre fashion. A long throw into the box wasn’t cleared, Yates flicked the ball back into the danger area and it was inadvertently pushed in by keeper Lee Nicholls but the goal went to the striker.
Not long after they levelled, the hosts were ahead. This time it was a free-kick that caused MK Dons issues – the ball was cleared to the edge of the box, only for centre-back Vaulks to smash home a superb effort into the top-left corner.
Even with an hour to go, the visitors could only put token pressure on and never really tested Marek Rodak.
Nicholls made a stunning stop to deny Yates the clincher, the Dons’ best chance coming when Rodak spilled a cross from ex-Miller Kieran Agard.
Seven minutes of stoppage time looked like it was starting with a Dons penalty, but Darren Drysdale blew for a foul the other way as Rotherham hung on.
“We had a few opportunities to get something out of the game, but we didn't play as we have in the last few games overall,” said Dons supremo Robbie Neilson.
“We went ahead but we’ve given away a really poor goal from a long throw and it changed the whole game, it changed the whole atmosphere in the stadium.
“They got on the front foot after that and we didn’t get back in the game for some time.”