It's time to show character, says Evans

Despite an encouraging start in which they went close to scoring three times, the Millers tailed off to lose 4-0 against impressive opponents. It was the heaviest home loss of Evans' time in charge.

He said there were no excuses and after a hard week on the training ground he wants his players to be back on the ball for Saturday's trip to fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons. A trip to leaders Leyton Orient follows seven days later.

"We will pick ourselves up, we've done it before," he said. "As a management team and as a group of players we will hurt and and so will the supporters.

"Now it's our job to get ready for two of the most difficult games on the road at Milton Keynes and Leyton Orient but I believe in the players and the character here and we need to show that."

Evan added: "For the first 20 minutes against Swindon we were outstanding. We missed three or four good chances but then we conceded a goal from a free-kick and lacked a bit of desire, so there's no excuses.

"We'll go back on the training ground and learn from it."

Despite defeat, the Millers remain sixth in League One.

Evans reported that loan striker Tom Eaves was not included in the squad due to an illness caused by stomach ulcers. He is expected to return to training tomorrow.