Evans aims to build squad capable of matching Millers’ new stadium

Rotherham signed off as tenants at the Don Valley Stadium with a 1-1 draw but should have captured all three points.

Adebayo Akinfenwa scored a stoppage-time equaliser to earn Northampton a point.

Lewis Grabban crossed for Alex Revell to fire home the opener for the hosts in the 31st minute but, despite their best efforts, they could not find a second.

Grabban struck a post and had a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside, and Ben Pringle also went close before rotherham were made to pay when Akinfenwa headed home.

Steve Evans, who leads Rotherham to their new New York Stadium, which is close to their old Millmoor home, said: “The performance was excellent.Northampton have not had a worthy effort on goal and have been outplayed.”

The former Crawley manager, who joined Rotherham in april and who has already released Marcus Marshall and Ollie Bank as he starts to rebuild, continued: “We lack a bit of quality in certain areas and that’s why we’re here and we’ll work on that.”

Northampton manager Aidy Boothroyd also faces a rebuilding job after his side beat the drop by just four points but he said: “That performance shows why we’ve managed to stay up. We’ve got the character to keep going and in the end, I thought it was a fair result. That was Adebayo Akinfenwa’s 18th goal and I’m glad he got it.

“I want to make sure we get a good squad together before we start pre-season.”

Rotherham United: R TaylorTonge (Harrison 46), Raynes, Mullins, Bradley, Grabban, Schofield, Ja Taylor, Pringle (Warne 87), Hoskins (Denton 65), Revell. Unused substitutes: Warrington, Rose.

Northampton Town: Kitson, Johnson, Charles, Carlisle, Adams, Brito Silva (Williams 60), Guttridge, Tozer, Jacobs, Akinfenwa, Wilson. Unused substitutes: Snedker, Robinson, Langmead, Hornsby.

Referee: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).

Man of the match: Alex Revell.