Magic from the Millers as they show old fight ... on-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 4 Blackburn Rovers 0

Stunning goals from Hakeem Odoffin and Ollie Rathbone, one direct from a corner from Shane Ferguson and a late flourish from Conor Washington saw them topple third-placed Blackburn Rovers to record their first win in eight attempts.

Their deserved victory lifted them from 21st spot to 19th in the table ahead of the 3pm programme of fixtures in the division.

The triumph was built on a tireless, committed display which saw a return to the hard-running, pressing style that had served them so well prior to the World Cup shutdown.

The Millers got off to the perfect start and were ahead after only 34 seconds.

Blackburn attempted to clear as Chiedozie Ogbene threatened and the ball fell to Odoffin who thumped in an unstoppable shot to score his first-ever league goal for the club.

On 18 minutes, Viktor Johansson had to be sharp and brave to get down at the feet of Sam Gallagher and deny the Blackburn forward but it was Rotherham who had held the upper hand in the opening stages.

There was a bite and urgency about them in their first home match of the new year and they looked a different side to the one that had tamely lost the previous three away games.

The Millers were boosted by the fact that Blackburn were without ten-goal top scorer Ben Brereton Diaz who was missing because of family reasons.

Matt Taylor's men had let-off just before the half-hour mark when Bradley Dack headed wide an inviting opportunity created by Harry Pickering's left-flank cross and then Johansson spread himself well to thwart Ryan Hedges.

New boys Sean Morrison and Leo Hjelde were making their debuts after arriving during the week and both were in a four-man defence as Rotherham changed from their usual 5-3-2 formation to a 4-3-3 shape.

As half-time came, the home side were working hard without seeing much of the ball but still held that all-important lead.

Seven minutes after the break, that advantage was doubled as Rathbone crashed a stunning shot against the bar and the ball bounced down over the line.

It took an age for the referee to signal a goal and New York erupted when it was finally given.

The deflated visitors were never a threat from that point onwards and the Millers pressed home their superiority.

In the 76th minute, Ferguson swung in a corner from the right and the ball, with the help of goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, found the net.

Washington wrapped up proceedings in style in added time with a swivel and shot that flashed past Kaminski.

At the final whistle, the crowd rose in acclaim at what they had witnessed.

Both debutants had acquitted themselves well. So had the rest of the team.

Rotherham (4-3-3): Viktor Johansson; Lee Peltier (Wes Harding 88), Sean Morrison (Richard Wood 80), Cameron Humphreys, Leo Hjelde (Cohen Bramall 88); Hakeem Odoffin (Jamie Lindsay 90), Dan Barlaser, Ollie Rathbone; Chiedozie Ogbene, Conor Washington, Shane Ferguson (Peter Kioso 88). Subs not used: Robbie Hemfrey, Jamie McCart.

Blackburn (4-2-3-1): Thomas Kaminski; Joe Rankin-Costello, Daniel Ayala, Dominc Hyam (Ash Phillips 59), Harry Pickering; Tyler Morton, Jake Garrett; Ryan Hedges (Tyrhys Dolan 56), Bradley Dack, Sam Gallagher (Dilan Markanday 56); Jack Vale. Subs not used: Aynsley Pears, Tayo Edun, Hayden Carter, Lewis Travis.

Goals: Odofffin 1, Rathbone 52, Ferguson 76, Washington 90+2 (Rotherham).

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northampton).

Attendance: 10,345 (1,778).