"Honest mistakes in an honest performance." Boss Matt Taylor reacts to Rotherham United's 2-2 draw with Stoke City

The Millers led in the first half and again in the second but on each occasion gave away equalisers through their own mistakes.

An under-hit back-pass from captain Richard Wood allowed Tyrese Campbell to cancel out Wes Harding's opener and Lee Peltier headed in an own goal in the closing stages after Conor Washington had put the home team in front again.

Taylor chose to focus on an improved display following successive defeats against Bristol City and West Bromwich Albion, saying: “There was an honesty in that performance and in the goals we conceded.

"They were honest mistakes in an honest performance.”

The result against 17th-placed Stoke kept Rotherham in 19th spot in the table, two points away from the relegation reckoning.

“The game was crash, bang, wallop," Taylor said. "It was a match-up in terms of formation and it came down to one-versus-one battles. 

“Stoke have got some excellent players for this level but our will never wavered. If we are disappointed to not win the game it’s because we have not held on to our leads.”

Potters boss Alex Neil thought his side, who were frustrated by a number of saves from Millers goalkeeper Viktor Johansson and their own poor finishing, should have taken all three points.

“I thought we deserved to win and were the better side," he said. "We could have been 2- or 3-0 up in the first half.

“We had good moments. We will play worse than that and win. At the moment, the difference between us competing at the top and bottom end of the table is not being ruthless enough when we're playing well."