Hot shot Ward sees defensive improvements

Although the in-form striker said he was "gutted" to concede so late in the game to draw 2-2, the Millers' organised and resolute display impressed the 25-year-old.

Ward struck twice to cancel out Freddie Sears' early opener and Rotherham were seconds away from a victory when David McGoldrick denied them a first away win of the season with a stunning strike from range with virtually the last kick.

And Ward - who is currently the Championship's joint fourth top scorer with eight goals to his name - believes that his defensive colleagues coped well with what Ipswich threw at them, until the late strike.

He told the Advertiser: "We knew exactly what was going to happen when we came out after half time, we knew we would be under the cosh and they'd be sending balls forward and had the likes of Besty (Leon Best) to come on.

"Richard Wood, Dael Fry, Darnell Fisher and Joe Mattock dealt with it really well and then of course McGoldrick came up with a great strike."

Ward is currently enjoying the most fruitful spell of his career and has been one of few bright sparks during the club's woeful start to the campaign which currently sees them occupy bottom spot in the Championship and having the leakiest defence in the Football League.

WARD TAKES AIM AT PORTMAN ROAD

Despite the disappointment of conceding so late, Ward is confident there were positives to take from a match that saw Rotherham earn their first away point.

Ward added: "It felt like a defeat but overall we were a lot more solid and defended with our lives, which is how it should be every game. It was gutting to see that goal go in."

There's more from Danny in this week’s Advertiser.