Rotherham 1 Torquay 0: Absent Evans happy with Millers display

Alex Revell proved to be the home side’s hero as his 34th minute goal proved the difference between the two sides and ensured the home team maintained a 100 per cent record at the New York Stadium with their third win in as many games.

Evans, while no doubt frustrated at not being in his normal match-day position on the touchline, was left delighted as his side bounced back from the previous weekend’s humiliation in a 6-2 defeat against Port Vale.

“I thought our performance was excellent from start to finish against a good opposition,” said Evans yesterday.

“We could and should have won by five or six goals given the clear chances we created but it was all about getting back on track with a win (following the previous weekend’s defeat).

“We are a team who are at our best when we play with a lot of energy and pass the ball quickly; we did that with some real creativity.

“We had the likes of Nicky Hunt, Dale Tonge and Craig Morgan playing; all those lads are short of first-team action and they will all come on for the experience.

“The spine of any successful team has to perform and – against Torquay on Saturday – Morgan, Taylor, O’Connor and Odejayi were outstanding.”

The result was never in doubt for the Millers, with a hatful of chances being created either side of the break.

The decisive moment came in the 234th minute, however, when Torquay defender Kevin Nicholson misjudged his header back to goalkeeper Michael Poke allowing Revell to nip in and turn the ball into an empty net.

Rotherham United: Shearer, Hunt, Morgan, Sharps, Tonge, Evans (Agard 90), Taylor, O’Connor, Pringle, Odejayi, Revell (Nardiello 83). Unused substitutes: Warrington, Mullins, Ainsworth, Rose, Denton.

Torquay United: Poke, Oastler, Downes, Saah, Nicholson, Craig (Thompson 59), Mansell, Morris, Bodin, Howe, Stevens (Jarvis 70). Unused substitutes: Rice, Leadbitter, Easton, Cruise, Mackenzie.

Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Kayode Odejayi.