MILLERS MOTOR INTO PLAY-OFFS
ROTHERHAM can look forward to the play-offs after they saw off Bristol Rovers with a battling victory.
Michael Smith and Caolan Lavery netted as the Millers took a step closer to making a swift return straight back to the Championship, as they mathematically guaranteed their spot in the top six – sitting pretty in fourth.
And Rotherham manager Paul Warne is now considering resting players ahead of the play-offs getting underway.
He said: “It takes the pressure off the lads a little bit but we are still going to perform at our maximum.
“I will still try and win the next two games because you want to go into the play-offs on good form.
“I am really pleased to get the win and the clean sheet in difficult circumstances.
“My overall feeling is of pride.”
A spot in the play-offs has gone some way to confirming Rotherham's recovery following last season's harrowing relegation from the Championship.
Warne added: “I said when I took the club on that I wanted to pass it over in a healthier state than I got it.
“I may be getting ahead of myself but I would like to think the team will get even stronger.”
Smith put Rotherham ahead after nine minutes after he won back possession and burst through on goal before curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net from the edge of the box.
Will Vaulks came close to doubling the lead within min- utes but two efforts from him flew just over.
Rovers improved in the second half and Byron Moore’s jinking run into the box ended with a tame shot at Marek Rodak.
Kyle Bennett missed a good chance to level the game up, when he was denied one-onone, and it proved vital as Rotherham were soon celebrating the clincher.
Substitute Lavery was in the right place to turn in Joe Newell’s 90thminute cross and it lifted a lot of tension at the New York Stadium.
Rovers boss Darrell Clarke bemoaned his side’s lack of quality and now has one eye on the summer.
He said: “We gave them a rubbish goal and I was very angry at half-time because we got into the final third and our final ball was massively lacking and sloppy.
“We started the second half really well but we have got to finish chances against the better teams. You have got to be clinical otherwise you are chasing the game.
“We will change things around in the summer to try and overachieve and get in the top six.
“We are going to have to be very proactive. The league is going to be more competitive next year so we will see what I have got to play with and how I can freshen things up.”