Millers ready to tackle the favourites

Saturday's 2-1 victory at Swindon means the Millers finished fourth, missing out on third spot on goals difference to Leyton Orient.

They will take on Peterborough in the other play-off tie while Rotherham tackle the Lancashire outfit, with the first leg at Deepdale on Saturday (5.15pm) and the return at the New York Stadium next Thursday (7.45pm).

Even though Preston finished fifth, a point behind the Millers, they're fancied by many to come through to win promotion and Evans is fine with that.

He said: “Preston are the favourites to win the play-offs and rightfully so. They're a terrific club with outstanding support and a manager who has been the course. I know four or five of their team personally and they're top, top players.

“We always said that, at the end of a 46-game season, you take what comes. We know enough about everybody in the play-offs and we'll be prepared.

“It's going to be tough, we don't kid ourselves, but it's also been tough for us to get this far.

“We'll try and go there and play in a way that allows us to win a football match and get a good result to bring back for the second leg.”

Two goals from Wes Thomas in the opening half-hour laid the foundations for the victory at Swindon, with Michael Smith replying for the home side from the penalty spot on the hour mark.

Evans said: “We were terrific in the first half and they put us under pressure in the second half but we stood strong and got another win on the road, and we all know how hard they are to get in this division.”