Evans stays grounded as Millers aim to rise

United have never been better placed to end their League One exile after almost six full seasons in the Football League basement, having risen to third spot with two matches to go following a keynote midweek derby win at Bradford.

The net result is that if they win their final two matches, against lowly Plymouth this afternoon and rock-bottom Aldershot tomorrow week, they will be promoted unless Burton Albion take maximum points and somehow turn around a six-goal swing – something which is hugely unlikely.

If results go their way and they triumph at Home Park today and Burton lose and Cheltenham fail to win, only a remarkable chain of events on the final day of April 27 will prevent them from going up, not that Evans is getting carried away.

He said: “Tuesday was a great night, but at the end of the day, it was only three points and Plymouth will be tough. We have not done anything yet and I do believe Burton will win at Bradford (today).

“Plymouth beat Chesterfield in midweek and I also watched a DVD of their match against Burton last weekend – and I don’t know how Burton won.

“So I know how difficult it will be at Plymouth against a side whose manager I was only having a cup of tea with the other day in John Sheridan.

“I said my piece at the time, but he should not have left Chesterfield and I know he was upset by that and I know why.”

Evans paid tribute to teenage midfielder Mitchell Rose, who made a highly impressive introduction from the bench in Tuesday’s win at Bradford – in his first league outing since December and only his fifth appearance of the season.

He added: “Young Rose was playing in the EvoStik League with Stamford on loan two weeks ago until we recalled him and I thought his energy all over the pitch when he came on against Bradford was great.

“The best compliment I can give him is that I never noticed Gary Jones and he, in my opinion, is a top, top player and every manager in League Two would take him. But I didn’t see him and Mitchell did his job very, very effectively.”