Millers stun in-form Bolton

First-half goals from Ben Pringle, Conor Sammon and Paul Green paved the way for a 4-2 victory, the first at home since October.

The Millers looked anything but a side struggling near the foot of the Championship as they tore into the visitors from the start.

Pringle, recalled to the side, set them on their way after only two minutes when he met a cross from Conor Newton with a sweet volley high into the net. It was his first goal since August.

Rotherham’s strong start had Bolton clinging on and it was no surprise when the second goal arrived on 23 minutes. Another player brought back into the side, Matt Derbyshire, whipped in an angled shot, goalkeeper Andy Lonergan could only parry and Sammon, the Derby County loan man, mopped up from close range.

Then came a pivotal few seconds just before half time. Josh Vela was brought down for what looked a certain penalty and as Bolton appealed, Rotherham swept upfield and Derbyshire crossed for Green to gleefully head in off a post.

The Millers maintained the momentum into the second half and added a fourth just before the hour mark with a cracking 20-yarder from Derbyshire, ending his five-month drought without a goal.

The closing stages still weren’t as comfortable as they should have been as Bolton staged a belated fightback. Substitute Liam Trotter slotted in a consolation goal on 77 minutes and skipper Matt Mills headed a second two minutes later but Steve Evans’ men weren’t to be denied three big points.

 Millers: Collin, Richardson, Fryers, Arnason, Morgan, Newton, Green, Smallwood, Pringle (Hammill 90), Sammon (Wood 90), Derbyshire (Bowery 84)

Bolton: Lonergan, Mills, Ream, Dervite, Feeney, Kellett (Trotter 51), Danns, Pratley, Vela, Gudjohnsen (Spearing 74), Wilkinson (Wheater 66)

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire)

Attendance: 8,780 (874 visitors)