Josh Vickers the penalty saviour as Millers march on at top of league ... on-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 1 Accrington Stanley 0

GOALKEEPER Josh Vickers was the hero for Rotherham United as the ten-man Millers went six points clear at the summit of League One by seeing off Accrington Stanley at AESSEAL New York Stadium this afternoon.

The goalkeeper saved a late penalty after captain Richard Wood had been sent off to preserve his team's one-goal advantage.

The lead had been given to them by Dan Barlaser's exquisite 25-yard volley in the second half against the club for whom he once had a season on loan.

Vickers dived to his left to hold on to Harry Pell's 87th-minute spot-kick in front of a delirious kop.

Rotherham had to dig deep and they survived a last-gasp scare when Accrington hit the post deep into stoppage time.

The Millers enjoyed all the early pressure but it was the visitors who had the game's first attempt on goal, Jay Rich-Baghuelou heading Sean McConville's deft free-kick straight at Vickers.

Shane Ferguson was booked for a foul, seemingly at the insistence of the fourth official. The referee seemed happy to take no action until he was summoned by his colleague, who was 50 yards away, and then brought out his yellow card.

While Accrington tried to slow down the game, Rotherham kept up their attacking and came close to taking a 22nd-minute lead.

Will Grigg's shot after Barlaser's pass was well saved, the striker's follow-up was blocked and then, at the third attempt, he drove the ball over the bar.

Ref Andy Woolmer was coming under fire from the home crowd for some disputed decisions and allowing Stanley's time-wasting as the home side remained on top.

Ollie Rathbone was behind much of their good work and was the next player to try his luck, not quite getting the connection he wanted as he bent a 15-yard attempt wide.

Two minutes before the break, Michael Ihiekwe seemed set to break the deadlock when he got on the end of Ferguson's free-kick only to direct his close-range header off target.

At the subsequent goal-kick, visiting goalkeeper Toby Savin finally went into the book for persistently delaying proceedings.

Woolmer, who'd also cautioned opposition boss John Coleman, hadn't had the best of days and was booed off at the break by both sets of fans.

Rotherham, who'd gone towards North Stand in the opening period, had made two changes to the side that had demolished Doncaster Rovers 5-0 in Tuesday's South Yorkshire derby.

Wood was restored to the defence at the expense of Joe Mattock and Ferguson came in for Mickel Miller as boss Paul Warne rotated his wing-backs on the left flank.

The Millers finally made the breakthrough on 57 minutes as Barlaser lit up a match that had been hitherto low on quality with his stunning long-range strike when a header out of defence fell into his path.

Soon after, Rathbone wasn't far away as he scampered across the edge of the box and let fly.

Paul Warne's men allowed Accrington to come at them for a spell and it needed a superb save from Vickers to keep out Pell's header.

An offside flag would have ruled out the effort but the keeper wasn't to know that as he flew across his goal.

As the visitors pressed late on, he made a vital stop with six minutes to go when McConville's shot was heading in.

Then, the contest erupted.

Wood received a straight red for his part in the penalty which had to be delayed when two home fans ran on to the pitch.

Vickers was New York's saviour before Wiles raced clear in stoppage time but hit the keeper with his shot when he could have killed the match.

The tension was agonising and Stanley seemed certain to equalise only for a post to come to the Millers' rescue as Mitch Clark's effort came back off the woodwork.

Victory helped the table-toppers avenge two defeats against Stanley earlier in the campaign. More importantly, it stretched the gap between them and Wigan Athletic who didn't play in the league today.

Second-placed Athletic have games in hand but it's Rotherham who have points in the bag.

Rotherham (3-5-2): Josh Vickers; Wes Harding, Richard Wood, Michael Ihiekwe (Joe Mattock 63); Chiedozie Ogbene, Ben Wiles, Dan Barlaser, Ollie Rathbone, Shane Ferguson (Mickel Miller 72); Michael Smith, Will Grigg (Josh Kayode 77). Subs not used: Viktor Johansson, Jamie Lindsay, Hakeem Odoffin, Freddie Ladapo.

Accrington (3-5-2): Toby Savin; Ross Sykes, Michael Nottingham, Jay Rih-Baghuelou; Mitch Clark, Seamus Conneely (Tommy Leigh 63), Ethan Hamilton, Matt Butcher, Yeboah Amankwah (Harry Pell 70); Sean McConville, Lewis Mansell (Korede Adedoyin 53). Subs not used: Liam Isherwood, Harvey Rodgers, John O'Sullivan, Rosaire Longelo.

Goals: Barlaser 57 (Rotherham).

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

Attendance: 8,593 (256).