Win well deserved, says Evans

Rotherham overcame Cardiff City 2-1 as Matthew Connolly's stoppage-time own goal finally crippled the Welshmen, just when it looked like their rearguard action would earn a point.

“I thought we were battering them 11 v 11 and were always going to win,” he said. “We passed it more than we have done all season and the team was set up that way. I didn't want anything to change majorly, sometimes ten can give you a problem. 

“Cardiff showed no interest in going forward in the second half and it made it difficult because they camped behind the ball and it's difficult to work throught that, as teams have learnt to their cost.”

While both managers agreed that referee Keith Hill was right to give goalkeeper David Marshall his marching orders for his retaliatory kick at Matt Derbyshire, City chief Russell Slade said the official should have given his team a free-kick instead of punishing them with a penalty.

It was the second time Marshall has seen red in seven games — he was involved in a head butting incident in the final game of last season.

His latest indescretion will be dealt with internally.

Added Slade: “He's left the 10 out there in a very difficult position. I'm sure he'll be very regretful of what's happened, occasionally players see the red mist. 

“I thought we'd done enough in terms of digging in and defending as a group. We made big sacrifices to ensure that we could take a point back down the motorway but it wasn't to be.” 

The Millers now face Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Saturday. You’ll find a full preview, plus the rest of the news from the Millers’ camp in Friday’s Advertiser.