Points deduction has got Millers fired up for fight

A priceless 86th-minute equaliser from substitute Jordan Bowery earned the Millers a vital point in their battle against the drop in a 1-1 draw with Norwich City, 24 hours after being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player.

The fourth-from-bottom Millers will clinch safety if they beat Reading at home tomorrow night.

Evans said: “Saturday’s team talk was about the desire to bounce back. We just feel some people don’t want us to be around in the big competition – that is how we all describe it in our dressing room.

“It’s fantastic for us to be involved in it. We said to the players ‘let’s show desire, let’s show we are up for a fight if someone wants us to have a fight’.

“If I get the same kind of application, the same desire and commitment from the players (tomorrow), I will be delighted because you can’t ask for more than those guys gave me on Saturday.

“I thanked them at the end. I said they are a credit to their profession at Rotherham United.”

Bowery’s strike cancelled out a wonderful opener from Gary Hooper, who put 10-man Norwich ahead just before the hour-mark.

It has provided a massive psychological boost ahead of tomorrow’s encounter with the Royals.

Evans added: “It will be a huge goal if we’re in the Championship next season. There was a big call when Millwall were 3-1 up whether to introduce Jordan or Jono (Jonson Clarke-Harris), but Jordan had been electric in training.

“We take our battle and mission forward to Tuesday. It is just sad that some individuals have taken three points from us, and that points on the pitch don’t stay on the pitch. That is just a personal view.”

Like the Millers, Hull City are entrenched in a survival fight and manager Steve Bruce believes the points target for Premier League safety may have to be revised upwards after his Tigers side helped drag the likes of Newcastle United back into trouble.

A second-half double from Dame N’Doye saw the Tigers end a six-game winless run with a fine 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

With Leicester City beating Burnley as Sunderland and QPR claimed battling draws, just five points separate Newcastle – a side in freefall after losing for a sixth straight time over the weekend – in 14th place from their Wearside neighbours in the final relegation place.

Bruce, who previously thought Newcastle were safe and that the relegation scrap was a five-team affair, is looking for his side to take further strides towards safety at home to Liverpool tomorrow.

He said: “There really is all to play for now. For me, Newcastle must be involved. They are on 35 points.

“I thought maybe that would be enough to stay up, but with ourselves now on 31 and Leicester also on 31, we are capable of dragging them (Newcastle) right back in by getting four points.

“Who knows? I am just glad to have four of our last five games at home. If you look at our record in the Premier League away from home, it has been difficult for the last couple of years.

“That is how it is when in the bottom half of the division, it is very difficult away from home.

“I just hope we can reproduce a performance like that over the last month because if we do then we have a chance.”

Hull were good value for all three points in what was their first win at Selhurst Park in 12 visits, a run that stretched back the best part of three decades.

N’Doye got both goals, but he could easily have had a hat-trick after seeing a couple of shots saved by Julian Speroni.

He was also guilty of a truly shocking miss during the first half that left Bruce admitting: “I did wonder after that, ‘Is it going to be one of those days?’.

“Thankfully, it wasn’t and we got the win. We stayed calm and produced a great performance. Experience helps in a situation like this, but now we need to take this into Liverpool.”

Mohamed Diame is unlikely to feature against the Reds after again breaking down in training.

The Senegal international had only just returned from a four-month absence with a knee injury. Asked if he could be in for another lengthy spell out, Bruce replied: “I honestly don’t know at the moment.

“We thought Diame was fit on Monday but, unfortunately, he was sore again on Tuesday. He couldn’t be involved.”

Reports: Pages 2 & 4.