Oxford United v Rotherham United: Spirit and desire proving crucial for Millers’ automatic credentials

So says Paul Raynor, No 2 to manager Steve Evans, who has seen the Millers’ unbeaten run extended to five games thanks to Daniel Nardiello’s leveller against York last Tuesday, and Johnny Mullins’s intervention at Southend three days ago. It is all about picking up points at this stage of the season, no matter how.

“You aim to come into good form when it matters,” said Raynor. “There’s a real belief in the squad and the fact that we’ve come back late in games shows a lot of character, a lot of spirit and a lot of desire from the boys to nick valuable points.”

Tonight’s trip to Oxford is the third Tuesday in four that they have played a game in hand, and a policy of identifying these fixtures as vital has so far proved wise.

Rotherham won at Bristol Rovers and Torquay in those midweek matches, on each occasion a result that thrust them back into the automatic promotion picture. A victory tonight could do similar.

“It’s a game in hand that we’ve been targeting and focusing on and if we win it there’s a great chance to be back in the top three, and that’s a great incentive,” said Raynor. “We’ve done well at Bristol and we did well at Torquay because the preparation has been meticulous. We’ve given the guys plenty of time together which has gelled them in this period.”

Danny Kearns is available, while Jordan Slew plays the last game of his one-month loan deal from Blackburn.

“We’d like to keep him because he’s made a real impact,” said Raynor, who also said they would look at strikers if they failed to re-acquire Slew.

Last six games: Oxford LLWDWW; Rotherham LWWWDD.

Last time: Oxford 2 Rotherham 1; March 17, 2012; League Two.

Referee: A D’Urso (Essex).