"Good heart and great spirit" - Paul Warne salutes Rotherham United squad after win over Norwich City

Paul Warne expressed his pride in the spirit shown by his Rotherham United players as they won for just the fourth time this season to keep alive their faint hopes of avoiding relegation from the Championship.

Twenty-year-old striker Jerry Yates swept home the opener and Tom Adeyemi - against the club where he started his career - headed the winner as the Millers beat a disorganised Norwich City at the New York Stadium.

Cameron Jerome levelled for Norwich shortly before Adeyemi’s 55th-minute goal, but the Canaries were undermined by the 19th-minute dismissal of their striker Nelson Oliveira, for striking Kirk Broadfoot after he had conceded a foul against the Millers defender.

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Norwich still posed problems for the hosts and it was a massive test of character that the Millers passed.

Warne was named interim manager until the end of the season just 24 hours earlier having only taken temporary charge in late November following Kenny Jackett’s decision to walk out after just five games.

And he said: “Possibly outside the dressing room many people wouldn’t have given us a chance and we thought maybe that would do us a favour.

“We probably under-estimated Oxford last week and lost. Norwich came here, I bet their staff warned the players not to under-estimate us, but the players think they’re playing a bottom team and are maybe complacent. But our performances have been getting better and we’ve probably ruined a few coupons.

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Report: Debutant Jerry Yates helps Millers clinch priceless win in survival bidPlayer ratings: How the teams fared in the Championship clashRead more at: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham-united/player-ratings-rotherham-united-2-norwich-city-1-how-the-teams-fared-in-the-championship-clash-1-8334964

“Adversity sometimes brings the group together. We had Lee Frecklington and Wardy out, our top performers.

“But I had faith in our midfielders and our team. What they gave me today I couldn’t have asked for more.

“The lads have got good heart, and great spirit.”

On Yates, Warne added: “I thought it would be one hard game for Jerry up front on his own. I told him in the meeting just go and enjoy yourself, he had no pressure on him and he played like an old fashioned footballer. He ran and ran and ran.

“He was outstanding.”

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On top scorer Danny Ward, who was absent today, Warne revealed there was nothing untoward about his absence and had nothing to do with potential transfers.

Warne said: "He's done his back, no smoke and mirrors. He'll be training Monday unless we get ridiculous bid."