Is Michael Smith the best centre-forward in League One? "Potentially," says Rotherham United boss Paul Warne after win over Wimbledon

Goal joy for Michael Smith. Picture by Kerrie Beddows

The striker took his tally to seven in his last eight League One outings with his brace as the fifth-placed Millers made sure they remained right in the promotion mix.

Warne is a huge admirer of his big targetmen but chose not to describe him as the best centre-forward in the division.

"Potentially he is," said the boss who added that he didn't think the 29-year-old was on top form at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

“If everything away from his scoring is working and he also scores then he’s perfect. This evening he scored but his all-round play wasn’t great."

Warne loves the player's work ethic, which was mirrored throughout the team against the visitors from West London.

“He gives so much even if he isn’t having the best time on the ball," the manager said. "He is scoring for fun at the minute so long may that continue. He has started the season really well.”

Will Grigg bagged his first league goal for the club before Smith struck either side of half-time.

This was a more clinical performance than the display in the 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra, when Rotherham had more than 20 goal attempts, but Warne was not content.

“I was disappointed with our performance compared to the weekend, truth be told ” he said. “It’s how strange football is. It’s about winning games and today we did that.

“It is a results business. Last Saturday we were excellent and got booed off. Today we were poor and won 3-0. From a performance point of view, we are better than that.”

Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson had no complaints, although he was certain his team should have been awarded a first-half penalty when Millers skipper Richard Wood tangled with Aaron Pressley.

“It was men versus boys," he said. "They were better all over the pitch. They looked like a side who have come down from the Championship and could go back up. We looked like a side learning.

“It looked like a stonewall penalty. Would that have made a difference? I don’t know because they were very good all over the pitch."