‘Big fellow’ Revell gives Millers narrow victory

The striker broke AFC Wimbledon’s resistance with a far-post header 14 minutes from time to keep the Millers in the hunt for a top-three finish.

Evans said: “If Alex got more goals he would be a multi-million pound player because his technical ability for someone 6ft 2ins is incredible.

“He’s good in the air and has a huge desire and he loves playing at Rotherham United. We were all delighted for the big fellow and he deserved that goal. It has been coming for him.”

The Millers, for whom left-back Joe Skarz made his debut on loan from Bury, bossed the match from start to finish, but had to work hard to create clear-cut opportunities.

Captain Johnny Mullins was off target with two great chances while goalkeeper John Sullivan excelled to keep out a volley from Claude Davis and Lee Frecklington’s goal-bound shot.

It took the visitors nearly an hour to create their first serious chance as Harry Pell’s effort was tipped over the bar by the recalled Scott Shearer.

The Scot crucially denied Luke Moore, who was clean through, just moments before Revell gleefully turned in a corner from substitute Lionel Ainsworth. Substitute Kieran Agard could have put gloss on the win late on, but it sets Rotherham up for Monday’s trip to leaders Gillingham.

Evans added: “I was relieved because it took such a long time to get the goal. We had so much possession and domination. We kept our shape and our discipline and limited them to a couple of chances.

“We’ve used the last couple of weeks to freshen everyone up and this is a fully focused and refreshed squad for the last seven games. The energy levels all over the pitch were fantastic, but all we have done is won a game and we know Gillingham will be doubly tough.”

Rotherham: Shearer, Mullins, Davis, Craig Morgan, Skarz, Frecklington, Arnason, Noble (Ainsworth 73), Kearns (Agard 87), Revell, Nardiello (Odejayi 85). Unused substitutes: Warrington, O’Connor, Pringle, Ridehalgh.

AFC Wimbledon: Sullivan, Mitchel-King, Bennett, Balkestein, Hussey, Meades, Pell, Yussuff (Sainte-Luce 56), Luke Moore, Alexander (Darko 56), Midson. Unused substitutes: Jaimez-Ruiz,Cummings,Long,Youga,Antwi. Booked: Luke Moore.

Referee: Mark Heywood (Cheshire).