WARNE: WE RODE OUT THE STORM
PAUL Warne hailed his Rotherham side’s resilience and battling qualities as Michael Smith scored just his second goal of the season to salvage a point.
The Millers registered backto-back points on the road with yesterday’s draw at Preston and Warne was delighted with the fighting spirit his side displayed.
Rotherham secured their first away point of the season at Middlesbrough in mid-week, and Smith cancelled out Tom Barkhuizen’s opener at Deepdale as the Millers drew for the third consecutive match.
“This group have unbelievable character,” Warne said. “After we rode the initial storm we were really in the game.”
Preston made a bright start and Barkhuizen raced on to Callum Robinson’s well-weighted through ball after three minutes, but he shot early and straight at Marek Rodak.
At the other end, Smith clattered the upright after 14 minutes – his low, curling effort from 25 yards beating Chris Maxwell’s dive, but spinning wide off a post.
After the early flurry chances were few and far between and mostly came from set-pieces. Andrew Hughes went close after 31 minutes with an 18-yard free-kick – beating the wall, but not Rodak.
And it was from a corner that Barkhuizen headed Preston in front five minutes before halftime, getting in front of his marker to flick Robinson’s cross into the far corner.
He nearly doubled the lead two minutes later, pouncing on Semi Ajayi’s poor back header, but Rodak saved instinctively and the defender atoned for his error by clearing the rebound.
The visitors looked revitalised after the break and Richie Towell did well to keep the ball alive under pressure in the 49th minute, but Maxwell parried Kyle Vassell’s shot clear.
Smith levelled six minutes later though, controlling Ryan Williams’ right-wing cross at the near post and firing into the net.
Preston responded well, and both Daniel Johnson and Robin- son had shots blocked from the edge of the area as Rotherham got men behind the ball.
Robinson produced a great touch to bring down Davies’s cross and beat Zak Vyner in the area after 77 minutes, but the finish did not match the control and Rodak saved.
Ben Pearson then shot leftfooted straight at Rodak from 18 yards in stoppage time, but there was to be no late winner as the spoils were shared.
Warne said: “I think the lads did enough to get a draw. Smithy had a great chance in the first half which smacked the post and their keeper has made a great save off Vas [Kyle Vassell].
“But we got a deserved goal and I think we were more than deserving of a point to be honest.”
Preston manager Alex Neil said: “It was never going to be a real footballing game. They turn the ball and they play to their strengths basically.
“I’m frustrated because I think we can play a lot better collectively and individually than we did.”