On-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 3 Derby County 0

TWENTY-FOUR hours after battle should have commenced, Rotherham United thrillingly took the honours against Championship survival rivals Derby County.
Matt Crooks in action against Derby County. Picture by Dave PoucherMatt Crooks in action against Derby County. Picture by Dave Poucher
Matt Crooks in action against Derby County. Picture by Dave Poucher

They blitzed the visitors with three late goals in a statement intent that they intend to fight all the way in their bid to stay in the division.

Tuesday's contest at AESSEAL New York Stadium had fallen victim to the weather and had to be postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

When the two sides reconvened a day later, the action was fierce and hard-fought, with the Millers emerging victorious over Wayne Rooney's Rams for the second time in three weeks.

Two goals in five second-half minutes from Michael Ihiekwe and Michael Smith - the striker's sixth in his last seven league games - put Rotherham in the driving seat.

Then new boy Ryan Giles sealed a great victory two minutes from time with his second goal in three substitute appearances.

The triumph lifted the Millers into 22nd spot, just two points from safety and with games in hand.

Paul Warne's men started much the faster of the two sides and Ben Wiles would have been in on goal had he not slipped at the vital moment but Derby came into the game and were troubling the home side by the time the first real chance of the game came on 25 minutes.

A Rams corner was flicked on by Colin Kazim-Richards and Martyn Waghorn's bicycle kick from close range was only inches over the bar.

Brave, decisive goalkeeping by Viktor Johansson denied Kazim-Richards on the edge of the area on the half-hour mark after the Millers - not for the first time - had needlessly conceded possession in their own half.

There had been more rain before kick-off but Rotherham's grounds staff had done a great job on the pitch and there was never any fear of another call-off.

The Millers were living dangerously but produced their first effort on target soon afterwards, Michael Smith trying his luck from 25 yards and forcing a full-length save from David Marshall.

They ended the first half as they'd begun it and had two chances to take the lead as the interval approached.

Clark Robertson, in his first start since an October foot fracture, rose well to meet a Dan Barlaser corner and should have done better than head just over while Jamie Lindsay was close to giving them the lead with a vicious strike that went the wrong side of the post.

The pitch was holding well and neither could have any complaints about the surface, although both had reason to query some of referee Jeremy Simpson's decisions.

Manager Warne had named the same starting 11 he had picked for the fixture 24 hours earlier but there was a welcome addition on the bench.

New boy Lewis Wing had been signed too late on Monday's transfer deadline day to have been involved yesterday but was among the the Millers' substitutes second time around and came on after the break for his debut.

Johansson was in goal, with Jamal Blackman unavailable because of self-isolation.

The Swede had to react smartly to keep out  Max Bird's shot three minutes after the restart as Rotherham played themselves into trouble again.

Opportunities had dried up for both teams until a huge let-off for the Millers after 73 minutes when substitute Lee Gregory headed off target right in front of goal.

They made the most  their good fortunate by taking the lead within three minutes as Ihiekwe latched on to Smith's flick-on to poke the ball home.

Just five further minutes had elapsed when Matt Crooks broke down the left and his low cross was turned in by Smith.

Then Giles ran in from the left to send the ball beyond Marshall as the Millers finished in stunning style.

Goals: Ihiekwe 76, Smith 81, Giles 88 (Rotherham).

Rotherham (3-5-1-1): Viktor Johansson; Michael Ihiekwe, Richard Wood, Clark Robertson; Matt Olosunde, Dan Barlaser (Lewis Wing 68), Jamie Lindsay (Angus MacDonald 84), Ben Wiles (Shaun MacDonald 90+1), Matt Olosunde (Ryan Giles 68); Matt Crooks; Michael Smith (Freddie Ladapo 84). Subs not used: Josh Vickers, Jake Cooper, Trevor Clarke, George Hirst.

Derby (4-2-3-1): David Marshall; Nathan Byrne, Andre Wisdom, Matthew Clarke, Lee Buchanan; Max Bird, Graeme Shinnie (Beni Baningime 87); Kamil Jozwiak (Patrick Roberts 72), Jason Knight, Martyn Waghorn (Lee Gregory 72); Colin Kazim-Richards (Louie Sibley 87). Subs not used: Kelle Roos, Craig Forsyth, Teden Mengi, Kornell McDonald, Louie Watson.

Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire).