Grabban strikes to get new Millers chief Evans celebrating

ROTHERHAM’S slim play-off hopes remain alive after Lewis Grabban’s stoppage-time goal gave Steve Evans his first victory as Millers chief.

With only two games to play, however, Rotherham are 10th and five points behind seventh-placed Crewe.

Victory was achieved despite the 75th minute dismissal of Ryan Cresswell for a second yellow card.

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Grabban had opened the scoring with a fierce drive into the top corner but Jordan Burrow equalised after some poor defending.

Jason Taylor restored the Millers’ lead from the edge of the area, before Cresswell brought down Danny Carlton in the area and headed down the tunnel before Jack Redshaw levelled from the spot.

Grabban, however, rifled in the winner from 30 yards and Evans said: “We’re highly delighted, the disappointing thing was to go in 1-1 at half-time. I said to the boys that I was disappointed with the quality in the final third and we had to work a little bit harder. I think we did that in the second half with 10 men.

“We missed a big chance at 2-1 to go 3-1 and if that had happened it maybe would have been a four or five scoreline.”

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Evans got a really warm welcome when he came out and there was prolonged applause as he set off across the pitch for his first home game.

Evans has certainly integrated with the fans in his early days at the club and will meet them at a fans’ forum on Thursday, May 3 at at the Carlton Park Hotel, Moorgate.

There was almost a quicker Millers goal than the second minute one that marked Evans’ first game last Saturday.

Rotherham took the lead on 21 minutes, Grabban netting his 20th of the season, drilling a fierce low shot inside the far post.

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The visitors levelled on 38 minutes breaking away from a corner in numbers. Hunter’s centre was half-cleared, allowing Burrow to strike the loose ball low into the net.

Rotherham regained the lead after 48 minutes.

Evans made a surging run down the left and crossed. McCready headed away but the ball ran towards the edge of the area and Taylor moved on to it to strike a first-time right-footer beyond Roche.

Morecambe struck their equaliser through Redshaw’s spot kick but the Millers, who made a change before the restart, taking off Schofield and putting Bradley into central defence, wopuld not be denied.

With time running out, Grabban let fly to clinch a deserved three points, leaving Evans to dash onto the pitch in celebration.

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Rotherham United: Warrington, Tonge, Cresswell, Mullins,Newey, Evans (Harrison 79), Jason Taylor, Schofield (Bradley 75), Pringle (Cadogan 90), Grabban, Revell. Unused substitutes: Rhys Taylor, Hoskins.

Morecambe: Roche,McCready,Haining,Parrish, Cowperthwaite (McGee 73),McDonald,Hunter,Carlton, Redshaw (Mwasile 80),Curran,Burrow (Alessandra 66). Unused substitutes: Kettings, Breen.

Referee: D Webb (County Durham).

Man of the match: Lewis Grabban.