More progress for the Millers ... on-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 0 Sheffield United 0

Honours finished even in the lunch-time derby kick-off as the Millers played their first match since the close of a January transfer window that brought seven new signings.

They were up against second-placed opposition who look certain to go up but built on their impressive performances against Blackburn Rovers and Watford and were worth the point that kept them in 20th spot.

Rotherham were the first side to threaten in a frantic start and Chiedozie Ogbene was denied by the alertness of visiting goalkeeper Wes Foderingham who was quickly out of his goal to smother the danger on five minutes.

At the other end, Viktor Johansson was called into action, leaping to save when Jayden Bogle's cross took a deflection towards goal and then dropping sharply to hold on to Sander Berge's low effort.

In the 18th minute, applause rang out from all four sides of the ground for Henry Evans, a young Miller who had tragically died in an road incident.

Ollie Rathbone had been named captain for the first time and was putting in his usual industrious display, but the Blades had gained a measure of control by the half-hour mark and were pushing for a breakthrough.

However, it was the Millers who came closest to open the scoring as a 35th-minute cross from Tariqe Fosu - making his first home appearance - picked out Hakeem Odoffin whose header was kept out by a superb Foderingham save.

Suddenly, it was the home side doing most of the attacking and a slick Rathbone/Fosu link-up played in Odoffin whose shot was blocked.

Rotherham, having triumphed at Bramall Lane in November, were chasing their first league double over the Blades since the 1980/1981 campaign.

In a hard-fought contest being marred by a whistle-happy referee blowing for too many soft fouls, a 0-0 scoreline was about right at the break.

The Millers' defence had been solid and Odoffin, Rathbone and new boy Jordan Hugill had all shown up well.

Rotherham had handed debuts to two of their January signings: striker Hugill and midfielder Conor Coventry who had been brought in as the replacement for Dan Barlaser.

Deadline-day arrival Bailey Wright was on a bench lacking club skipper Richard Wood who was fit but hadn't been selected for the matchday 18.

In the early stages of the second half, Anel Ahmedhodzic headed over a good chance created by Bogle's right-flank supply and Rathbone fired wide as the contest continued to hang in the balance.

Dangerman Bogle blazed over in the 68th minute before Wright came and went for the Millers in a matter of minutes.

The centre-half hadn't even touched the ball after being introduced as a substitute when he went down following a clash of heads and had to be subbed himself.

Both teams tried for a winner and Billy Sharp and Odoffin traded shots but defences remained on top and a draw was a fair result.

No first double in 42 years then. But a four-point haul this season against the Blades is a fine return for the Millers.

Rotherham (4-3-3): Viktor Johansson; Lee Peltier, Grant Hall (Bailey Wright 69, Wes Harding 74), Cameron Humphreys, Leo Hjelde; Hakeem Odoffin, Conor Coventry, Ollie Rathbone; Chiedozie Ogbene, Jordan Hugill (Conor Washington 69), Tariqe Fosu (Shane Ferguson 83). Subs not used: Josh Vickers, Jamie Lindsay, Cohen Bramall.

Sheffield United (3-5-2): Wes Foderingham; Anel Ahmedhodzic, John Egan, Jack Robinson; Jayden Bogle, Sander Berge, Ollie Norwood, Ben Osborn, Max Lowe; Iliman Ndiaye, Oli McBurnie (Billy Sharp 74). Subs not used: Adam Davies, Chris Basham, Ismaila Coulibaly, Ciaran Clark, James McAtee, Louie Marsh.

Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire).

Attendance: 11,485 (2,225).