ANALYSIS: Warne's warriors dig deep to earn win

THE long suffering New York Stadium faithful have finally got a glimpse of the old Rotherham United.

Not just because they did what used to come naturally to them, namely win, but in the way they put a bid of pride back into the shirt.

The serious messages of Alan Stubbs and then Kenny Jackett have given away to the enthusiasm and positivity of Paul Warne, a caretaker manager with the ability to get players really fighting for him.

The Millers dug deep, deeper than they have in months, to overcome QPR and finally put an end to a wretched, 15-match run without a victory and by the finish no-one could begrudge them it, not even the frustrated visitors.

It took a moment of quality from Izzy Brown to settle a highly entertaining contest, finishing a clever one-two with Danny Ward to thrash in his third of the season.

IZZY BROWN SLOTS HOME THE WINNER

Rotherham are never going to dominate matches in the Championship. What they can do is draw teams into a battle and they managed to do that this time.

QPR might have had a bit more quality on the ball but they didn't have the movement or the runners to make it count and the individual battles were won by the men in red.

Brown's 24th minute goal earned Rotherham that rare thing this season, the luxury of a lead, and so many took on the challenge of defending it.

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Tunisian defender Aimen Belaid came in after nearly a year out and dealt with just about everything thrown at him. Lee Frecklington showed why he's been missed so much, setting the standard both in terms of his use of the ball and his tireless work off it.

Those two were the standout players and the others rose to the occasion, not least stand-in keeper Lewis Price. A clean sheet and two flying saves from Conor Washington and Tjaronn Chery will surely ensure he stays in the team against Fulham tomorrow night.

Danny Ward needs a goal but he was back to something like this time, a thorn in the flesh of the QPR defenders and was unlucky to see two super efforts drift the wrong side of the posts.

It was good too to see Rotherham displaying some staying power for a change. Although the win was nice, it really should have been furnished with a goal or two more as Ian Holloway's frustrated side lost impetus and heart and left some huge spaces.

Joe Newell will still be wondering how he managed to spoon a rebound into the kop after Ward's late drive had cannoned off the bar and into his path. Substitute Jon Taylor also managed to make a mess of a breakaway chance.

It was still the best and nosiest afternoon at the New York in ages and the celebrations at the end told their own story.