'Keep booking me, keep fining me' ... Rotherham United manager Matt Taylor is in no mood to be silenced over officials

The boss picked up his third booking of the season in the Championship match against Preston North End yesterday, which will hit him in the pocket and has left him facing a touchline ban at Cardiff City next weekend.

But he's adamant he will continue to stand up to officials who he says are putting the Millers' second-tier survival and his own job in jeopardy.

"I'll pay the fine because the club won't pay it and I'll keep on doing that because if I don't then no-one will talk about the issue," he said after the 1-1 draw at AESSEAL New York Stadium had left his side in second-bottom spot.

"It's wrong and I have to keep on highlighting that it's wrong. Do I just stand there and let it happen? I can't do that. I have to somehow find a way of highlighting the deficiencies in that (refereeing) department. I have to fight for my players.

"They can't do it themselves. We can't afford another sending-off or a booking for them. We can't have them picking up suspensions and being unavailable."

Taylor was angered by Preston's equaliser being allowed to stand when Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson looked to be impeded by Ryan Ledson at a corner and his ire increased when referee Sam Allison soon afterwards allowed play to continue despite midfielder Christ Tiehi being down with a head injury.

"These moments matter to me because it's my livelihood," the boss said.

Taylor maintained he made his objections in a respectful manner but was still cautioned, possibly for leaving his technical area to voice his concerns.

This season, the Millers have already been hit by two dismissals - Cafu at Stoke City and Fred Onyedinma at home to Blackburn Rovers - for which referees group PGMOL subsequently apologised.

In addition, they had a goal disallowed against Leicester City for an infringement no worse than the Preston one in the build-up to the Lilywhites' leveller.

The Blackburn and Leicester incidents arguably cost Rotherham three points.

Taylor, the father of a one-year-old son, found room for a touch of humour despite the seriousness of the situation.

"Maybe I'll ask the players to have a whip-round," he said. "And maybe there'll be a shortage of nappies in my house for a certain period. The fines are significant amounts."

He believes the Millers are being particularly hit as the smallest club in the Championship but acknowledged other teams are also feeling the effects of sub-standard officiating.

He said: "It's not just me; every manager is saying the same: that things are breaking down. The officiating is beyond belief.

"I'll fill in a report but do those reports do anything? Absolutely nothing whatsoever.

"It'll be 'little old Rotherham' and people saying we're moaning again. It's an absolute injustice."