Cameron Dawson or Ted Cann? Manager Matt Hamshaw on the Rotherham United goalkeeping situation

The summer signing, who had sat on the bench all season as understudy Cameron Dawson all season, let nobody down when he was handed his League One chance at Bradford City on Tuesday evening

He will keep his place for tomorrow's visit of Plymouth Argyle to AESSEAL New York Stadium as his friend and rival is forced to deal with the blow of being dropped.

“We just felt that the other night was the right time for a change,” manager Matt Hamshaw said. “We put Ted in goal and I thought he did well.

“It'll be down to Ted now to keep the shirt. I'll stand by him. But if we feel his performances drop off, then Cam will come back in.”

Twenty-five-year-old Cann had been restricted to four outings in the Vertu Trophy as the Millers put their faith in Dawson.

The former West Bromwich Albion man overcame a nervy start to put in a decent display in West Yorkshire and almost scored a stoppage-time equaliser with a header in the 1-0 defeat when he went up for a corner.

Dawson paid the price for the error that handed Doncaster Rovers a derby-day winner at New York last Saturday when he failed to make a clearance outside his area and was robbed by Luke Molyneux who slotted the ball into an empty net.

The 30-year-old will be on the bench as the 23rd-placed Miller seek a much-needed victory against Plymouth in their fight for third-tier survival.

“I think 'Daws' has performed consistently all season, really,” Hamshaw said. “He's made the odd mistake, as all the outfield players have.

“I just felt that we had to take him out of that situation after the Doncaster game. I know he's hugely disappointed to not be playing. That's credit to the lad and shows the character and fighter that he is. He wants to be in the battle.”

Hamshaw is in his first year in the hot-seat and says that the task of reviving his boyhood club consumes him.

He has been the target of abuse from fans and says that the strains spill over into his time away from New York and the Millers' Roundwood training HQ.

The father-of-two said: “No you can't get away from it. I just have to try and be a dad and protect my girls at home. I have to then be a son and protect my mum and dad and be a brother to my sister and my brother. I have to try to make sure it doesn't affect them.

“Look, we're a tight-knit family. We've been through horrific things in our lives, as most families have been. We've stood tough and stood together and that's what we'll carry on doing.

“When I took the job I spoke to all of my family and said: ‘It's going to be good and it's also going to be tough.’ I told them: ‘I just need you to ask how I am. I don't really need opinions on football, I don't need you listening to outside noise. I just need you to know that your son or brother's all right.’

“As long as my mum and dad are all right and in good health and my family are all right - my wife, my children - that's all I ask.”