REACTION: 'We can go toe-to-toe with anyone' says Warne after NYS triumph

The management team have backed the current squad to upset some teams in the Championship this season and they don’t come much bigger than the Rams.

Ryan Manning’s 63rd minute penalty made the difference as the visitors ended the game without the red-carded Tom Lawrence and high profile boss Frank Lampard, sent to the stand for leaving his technical to protest a decision in the second half.

“I said to the lads after the game, don’t be shocked you’ve beaten these teams because you are entitled to go toe-to-toe with anyone,” said Warne. “Respect the opposition but don’t be in awe of them.

“I don’t want the lads to see it like they’ve won a cup final. They have just won a game, and that’s what they’re here to do, but we are really proud of what they are trying to do for everyone here.”

Warne, ironically, didn’t think the Millers were at their best.

“Sometimes you need the rub of the green and we got that today,” he said.

“We could have done better. Our set pieces were poor, which isn’t like us.

“Our first-half performance deserved a goal and if we had gone in 2-0 up it wouldn’t have flattered us.

Cool as you like...Ryan Manning scores from the spot. It was his first goal for the Millers since his loan switch from QPR.

“I was a bit anxious where we were going to get a goal from but we defended well and our goalkeeper didn’t have many saves to make.”

Both Warne and opposite number Lampard said the Lawrence punishment for a late challenge on Richie Towell could have gone either way.

“It was definitely late, (worthy of) a strong yellow, but I can see why the ref has given it,” added the Millers chief. “I’ve seen them given (as a red) and as a yellow. It came at a time when there were a lot of tackles flying around and if the challenge had been in the fifth minute I don’t think it would have been a red but the ref has to give what he sees and he had support from the fourth official.”

Warne revealed that Manning, the QPR loanee, had only been put on penalties yesterday in preference to first-choice Michael Smith.

“Ryan asked to take some penalties. Smudge took three and scored two. Ryan took two and they both hit the top corner. I said ‘that’ll do for me, you can have ‘em,’” smiled the boss.

The clean sheet was Rotherham’s third in four home league games. Ipswich and Millwall were also beaten 1-0 at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Now on to nine points, the Millers have nudged up a place to 14th in the table ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Aston Villa.