Harrad ready to lift the Millers

league two: Rotherham United are facing a seven-way race to clinch the final League Two play-off spot, writes Richard Hercock.

After an impressive 2-0 victory at Southend United on Friday night, the Millers finally looked the team under-pressure Andy Scott had been looking for. Victory moved them to 40 points, just three points adrift of seventh-placed Oxford United.

With Shrewsbury Town occupying sixth spot, but a further eight points better off, it looks like the Millers’ best chance of the play-offs is by finishing seventh.

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But there are arguably seven teams scrambling for that final place, from 13th-placed Crewe – who have 39 points – upwards.

One of those clubs is Accrington Stanley, who are the visitors to Don Valley Stadium tomorrow night in League Two in a match which is crucial to the Millers’ hopes of remaining in touching distance.

Shaun Harrad is due to make his home debut tomorrow – frozen pitch permitting – after he netted on his first bow for Rotherham on Friday.

The former Burton Albion striker, on loan from Bury, netted first at Roots Hall – followed by a goal from Alex Revell against his former club – and the pair impressed manager Scott.]

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“He hasn’t played 90 minutes for a long time, but he’s done it tonight, with his energy, and he’s a goalscorer,” said Scott.

“It was a toe-poke kind of finish, and I thought him and Revell worked their socks off. I was delighted with the way they linked-up especially when they were throwing bodies forward.”

Victory at Southend – who would have gone top of League Two with a win – impressed Scott, who will demand more of the same against Accrington tomorrow.

“It was thoroughly deserved, we showed a lot of character especially after the last game at Dagenham when we should have won,” said Scott.

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“Conditions were difficult to say the least, but we showed a lot of heart and desire. On a better surface, when players would have been a more sure-footed we would probably have won by more.

“We worked extremely hard, we were organised and restricted them to set-pieces and long range efforts.”