We showed spirit, says Evans

Second best in the first half, the Millers improved drastically after half time but couldn't force a breakthrough to cancel out Deon Burton's 22nd minute strike.

The result leaves them four points behind third-placed Northampton with a game in hand as the League Two promotion race reaches its critical phase.

Evans said: "We're still in with a chance (of automatic promotion) and we've got to be encouraged by the way we dominated the division's top team in the second half.

"I would accept Gillingham were the better side for the first 45 minutes but once we changed it we were back with our normal zest and passion and on the balance of play a draw would have been fair.

"We put in as much effort, passion and commitment in that second half as you can ask from a team."

Other results were kind to the Millers, with Port Vale, Northampton, Burton and Exeter all dropping points.

Rotherham go to mid-table Morecambe on Saturday before hosting Exeter at the New York Stadium next Tuesday (7.45pm).