Rotherham United 1 Port Vale 0: Ten-man Millers win in push for third spot

Agard’s 25th goal of the season and fourth in two games was just the trick for the Millers as they ended a run of three league outings without a win.

The former Everton youth striker pounced with 11 minutes remaining to make sure of the points for Steve Evans’ team who had to play just over half the match with 10 men.

Middlesborough loan midfielder Richard Smallwood was sent-off on the stroke of half-time for a clumsy challenge on Billy Knott.

But to their credit the Millers were the better side for much of the contest, especially after the break.

And having seen Nicky Adams and James Tavernier waste good chances, the hosts were thankful their prolific goalscorer Agard was on the mark. The 24-year-old lashed home from close range and means the Millers remain on course to finish third this season.

The Millers could have scored more if Alex Revell had not seen his header saved by Johnson and Agard had seen another effort saved.

Millers boss Steve Evans reflected: “I thought we deserved the win, especially because we went down to 10 men.”

Rotherham: Collin, Tavernier, Morgan, Arnason, Skarz, Adam (Milsom 45), O’Connor (Revell 65), Smallwood, Pringle, Vukic (Agard 45), Thomas. Unused substitutes: Shearer, Davis, Addison, Hitchcock.

Port Vale: Johnson, Yates, Robertson, Duffy (Williamson 51), Dickinson, Birchall (Myrie-Williams 71), Dodds, Knott (Shuker 71), Lloyd, Hugill, Tomlin. Unused substitutes: Griffith, Smith.

Referee: David Coote

Man of the match: Kieran Agard.