Top for Christmas ... on-the-whistle report: Cambridge United 0 Rotherham United 1

A second-half Dan Barlaser goal was enough to see off Cambridge United on their own turf and extend the Millers' club-record unbeaten run to 21 matches.

Paul Warne's men were made to work hard for their latest victory and wil be well pleased to have taken all three points against opposition with a good home record against the division's leading sides.

Several visiting supporters watched in Santa Claus outfits and left the Abbey Stadium full of festive cheer.

Rotherham had to weather a spell of pressure in the opening stages but the first effort on target was theirs, Shane Ferguson cutting inside from the right after a short corner on 25 minutes and testing goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

Four minutes later, Barlaser tried his luck from distance but his effort was well over the bar.

The Millers were roared on a by a large contingent of well over 1,000 traveling fans who almost filled the away end.

The tempo went out of the game as neither side dominated, although Freddie Ladapo managed a shot after being released by Barlaser's raking pass.

Millers keeper Viktor Johansson wasn't called into action until the 44th minute when Jensen Weir made ground and fired in a low effort from the edge of the area.

Johansson was left writhing in pain soon after when Sam Smith over-stretched as he chased a through ball, caught the keeper with a heavy foot and received a booking from referee Trevor Kettle for his trouble.

Rotherham supporters, thinking a red card was in order, rained abuse on Kettle, an official with whom they have history dating back to the infamous 2005 derby at Oakwell when he dismissed three Millers players plus manager Mick Harford and allowed a disputed Barnsley equaliser.

An unforgettable half came to an end with neither side having really threatened a breakthrough.

Chiedozie Ogbene had returned to the Millers' first 11 in place of Kieran Sadlier in the only change from the side that started last weekend's 3-1 home triumph over Burton Albion.

Injury deprived Cambridge of Wes Hoolahan, the 39-year-old midfielder who gave a virtuoso display in a losing cause in the fixture between the two sides at AESSEAL New York Stadium a month ago.

Four minutes into the second half former Sheffield United youngster Joe Ironside flashed a low shot across goal and just wide but Rotherham came even closer to an opener second later.

Ogbene drove down the right and his cross set up Ladapo who was denied close in by Mitov's point-blank stop.

With 65 minutes on the clock, Ogbene set off on a flying run that took him almost the length of the pitch and Barlaser was on hand to pick his spot from 18 yards for his fourth goal in three games.

The midfielder took his time and beat Mitov with an exquisite finish into the bottom corner.

A Ben Wiles header was saved by the home keeper before Adam May and then Jensen Weir blazed over at the other end.

Rotherham saw out the game well and Wiles wasted a glorious chance to double their advantage in the dying minutes, shooting straight at Mitov when the goal was gaping.

No matter. The Millers are top for Christmas.

Cambridge (4-1-4-1): Dimitar Mitov, George Williams, Jubril Okedina, Jack Iredale, Harrison Dunk; Paul Digby; Sam Smith (Jack Lankester 81), Adam May, Jensen Weir, James Brophy (Harvey Knibbs 81); Joe Ironside. Subs not used: Kai MacKenzie-Lyle, Ben Worman, Tom Dickens, Kai Yearn, Glenn McConnell.

Rotherham (3-5-2): Viktor Johansson; Rarmani Edmonds-Green (Wes Harding 68), Richard Wood, Michael Ihiekwe; Chiedozie Ogbene, Ben Wiles, Dan Barlaser, Ollie Rathbone (Jamie Lindsay 62), Shane Ferguson; Freddie Ladapo (Will Grigg 90+4), Michael Smith: Subs not used: Josh Vickers, Joe Mattock, Kieran Sadlier, Josh Kayode.

Goals: Barlaser 65.

Referee: Trevor Kettle (East Midlands).

Attendance: 5,323 (1,142).