'Rotherham United's goal shouldn't have stood' ... reaction from both managers as the Millers see off Cheltenham Town

Michael Smith celebrates his goal. Picture by Kerrie Beddows

The Millers won 1-0 through top scorer Michael Smith's 19th strike of the campaign to move up a place into third spot in League One.

Duff thought the goal should have been ruled out by official Oliver Langford for an infringement by the Rotherham hot-shot on centre-half Will Boyle in the build-up.

"It's a foul and ultimately that's the difference in the game," he said. "It was pointless getting angry (with the referee) because it was decision after decision after decision.

Millers manager Paul Warne was just pleased to take three points after a stutter had seen his men lose two of their three previous league contests.

He said: "It is a hard-fought win and it will count as much as a 4-1 victory would at the end of the season.

"Every game is an absolute battle. I think the pitch has gone a bit. It's winter football with players sliding all over the place.

"There are a few knocks and bruises. Cheltenham were not overly aggressive, they are just a big strong side.

"They are a good team and I think they will take a lot of points off teams in the top ten."

The winner came on 24 minutes when Smith - who has now scored more times in 2021/22 than in any other season - outmuscled Boyle and clinically found the bottom corner.

Duff, whose team dropped to 17th place, added: "They had two shots on target, which tells you a lot of about our performance. Results, we can't seem to get at the moment, but performances have been good.

"In the first half, we were a bit scrappy. I thought there was a ten or 15-minute spell at the end where we could have got the equaliser.

"Rotherham are a tough team to play but they know they have been in a game today."