Rotherham 4 Exeter 1: Millers get back on track courtesy of their impressive four-goal haul

After a run of just two wins in nine matches there has been an air of frustration around the New York Stadium as an elusive top-three spot looked to be slipping away. But they came good with a superb win that was built on a rampant first-half display.

Evans, who has come under criticism for recent performances, could not have wished for a better start as Ben Pringle drove the Millers ahead from 20 yards in the first minute.

Daniel Nardiello, dropped for Saturday’s defeat at Morecambe, responded to his recall by making it two with his 18th goal of the season in the 28th minute as he played a neat one-two with Pringle and eased the ball home from eight yards.

It got even better two minutes later as Michael O’Connor thumped in a deflected effort from distance.

Any hopes play-off chasing Exeter had of a second-half comeback were put to bed six minutes after the restart as Craig Morgan volleyed home.

The visitors, who slipped out of the play-offs after Bradford City’s win over Bristol Rovers, notched a consolation with 13 minutes to go when captain Danny Coles forced over the line from Arron Davies’ corner.

Evans’s team saw it out, though, to move within three points of the top three with a game in hand.

Rotherham United: Shearer, Tonge, Morgan, Arnason, Skarz; Agard (Ainsworth 72), O’Connor (Frecklington 83), Noble, Pringle; Nardiello, Revell (Odejayi 79). Unused substitutes: Warrington, Rose, Ridehalgh, Rowe.

Exeter City: Krysiak, Dawson (Keohane 46), Baldwin, Coles, Woodman; Molesley (O’Flynn 46), Doherty (Rodgers 70), Bennett, Davies; D’Ath, Cureton. Unused substitutes: Bauza, Evans, Reid, Moore-Taylor.

Referee: S Duncan (Northumberland)