'Staying up' ... opposing manager delivers his verdict on Rotherham United after the Sheffield United derby

Chiedozie Ogbene in first half-action. Picture by Kerrie Beddows

RIVAL boss Paul Heckingbottom tipped Rotherham United to stay in the Championship after the Millers went toe to toe with his high-flying side this afternoon.

Matt Taylor's men deservedly took a point from a 0-0 draw in their derby clash with Sheffield United in the lunch-time kick-off at a packed AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Heckingbottom's Blades are in second spot and looking good for a return to the Premier League but their manager admitted they had been pushed all the way by the 20th-placed home side.

“It was tough," he said. "We've certainly played worse than that and won games this season. I take it as a positive point.

“Rotherham are third-top scorers in the league at home. If you don’t stand up to them they beat you up.

"They have made signings in January that have strengthened them. I think they will be looking up the table, not down."

Rotherham have now taken five points from their last three outings, all against top-three opposition.

Manager Matt Taylor said he was "content" with the result after watching Chiedozie Ogbene and Hakeem Odoffin spurn first-half openings to score.

“There were fine margins," he added. "Neither team dominated enough facets of the game to feel comfortable at any stage.

“We had our best chances before the break with Chieo's one-v-one and Haks’ header, but from that point on we didn’t quite create enough scoring opportunities.

"It wasn't for the want of trying. We have come up against a very good team today.

“We were out on our feet near the end, but I still want the group to have that mentality of going for the win towards the end of the game."