A draw on a day a win was needed ... on-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 0 Stevenage 0

The new boss's opening home match brought a goalless draw with play-off-chasing Stevenage, with the Millers passing up on a couple of second-half chances to win the contest.

It means that they remain in 22nd spot, nine points away from the survival mark, and they now have only seven fixtures left in which to launch an unlikely escape from the relegation reckoning.

Lenny Agbaire limped off in the second half to add to the injury issues that have troubled them all season and Dan Gore is now facing a one-game ban after being dismissed late on.

A quiet start brought few sights of goal for either side and a blocked Gore shot was the only effort of note until the 19th minute when Duncan Watmore's volley on the turn was a few inches too high.

Soon afterwards, at the other end, Jamie Reid's low attempt from an angle beat Ted Cann's outstretched arm but drifted wide.

Before kick-off, Clark had been given a warm welcome from fans. Neither he or they had much to be excited about, however, as a scrappy contest unfolded.

A familiar figure on the touchline was Millers legend Alex Revell - he of that 'ambitious but brilliant' 2014 Wembley goal - who these days is manager of Stevenage.

He, too, had received a respectful reception from supporters who remember his efforts during promotions from League Two to the Championship more than a decade ago.

Stevenage were niggly, shirt-pulling opponents and incurred the wrath of the crowd as some of their antics went unpunished.

A Charlie Goode header gave Cann an easy save and, with half-time approaching, Sam Nombe didn't trouble Filip Marschall too much with a shot from the edge of the area.

Clark was out in his technical area urging on his side but the break arrived without any further chances.

He had spent the international break analysing his new charges and had handed only a second league start of the season to Jack Holmes who had found game time hard to come by under the managerial regime of Matt Hamshaw.

Loanee Jamal Baptiste was dropped to the bench for the first time during his spell at New York and also among the substitutes was 17-year-old goalkeeper Ben Childs who was covering for the injured Cameron Dawson.

Welcome sights in the 11 were Gore and Harry Gray, fit again after ankle and hamstring issues respectively.

The former was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for an elbow on Louis Thompson early in the second half.

Nombe needed treatment and returned to the fray with padding on his nose.

On 64 minutes, good work from Watmore played in Liam Kelly and a decent opportunity went begging in front of the North Stand as the midfielder failed to keep his shot on target.

Ar'Jany Martha volleyed just too high for Rotherham, White blazed over for the visitors, Gray's header went the wrong side of the woodwork and Beryly Lubala's drive stung the palms of Cann.

A late Watmore appeal for a penalty was waved away and Gray couldn't quite untangle his feet as New York held its breath.

Then, in the 88th minute, Gore's earlier misdemeanour came back to haunt him when a second booking, for pulling back an opponent, saw him sent off.

Next up for Rotherham is the trip to basement club Port Vale on Tuesday when the nine-point margin could be even greater if results go against them on Easter Monday.

Rotherham (4-2-3-1): Ted Cann; Joe Rafferty, Lenny Agbaire (Jamal Baptiste 76), Zak Jules, Reece James; Dan Gore, Liam Kelly; Jack Holmes (Ar'Jany Martha 55), Duncan Watmore (Josh Benson 90+1), Harry Gray; Sam Nombe. Subs not used: Ben Childs, Brandon Cover, Josh Ayres, Gabriele Biancheri.

Stevenage (4-2-3-1): Filip Marschall; Luther James-Wildin (Jasper Pattenden 16), Charlie Goode, Carl Piergianni, Lewis Freestone; Harvey White, Jordan Roberts (Beryly Lubala 81); Louis Thompson (Dan Kemp 68), Dan Phillips (Jordan Houghton 68), Matty Phillips; Jamie Reid. Subs not used: Taye Ashby-Hammond, Dan Sweeney, Lenny Brown.

Referee: Carl Brook (East Sussex)

Attendance: 7,920 (349)