Rotherham United 4 Macclesfield 2: Caretaker chief Paterson celebrates Millers getting back on winning trail

Caretaker manager Darren Patterson saw the Millers notch only their second victory in nine games and their highest goals tally since August.

There was a scare in the opening minutes when Town captain Tony Diagne shook the post with a close-range header. Sam Wedgbury forced Rhys Taylor to parry as Rotherham struggled to get into the game but they made a breakthrough on 36 minutes. Danny Schofield crossed and Mark Bradley planted a header back across the goalkeeper and inside the post.

Decent efforts from Jason Taylor and Ben Pringle kept Richard O’Donnell on his toes and after recent troubles which ended with Scott’s sacking on Monday, the Millers were just happy to get to half-time in front.

Taylor had another effort cleared in the second half and they doubled their advantage 12 minutes in. Winger Kieron Cadogan cut the ball back and Pringle fired inside the post.

Within moments, there was another let-off when Matt Smith hit the woodwork but the striker was not to be denied on 65 minutes as he headed in to reduce the arrears.

Alex Revell’s great-angled finish settled home nerves but a third goal in seven minutes, scored from the penalty spot by Lewis Chalmers, gave the visitors hope.

Rotherham held on and Cadogan put the issue beyond doubt when he tucked away a rebound.

Rotherham United: R Taylor, Bradley, Wood, Raynes, Mullins, Cadogan, Schofield, J Taylor, Evans (Hoskins 85), Pringle, Revell (Harrison 70). Unused substitutes: Tonge, Grabban, Warrington.

Macclesfield Town: O’Donnell, Bateson, Tremarco (Chalmers 29), Diagne, Connolly, Hamshaw, Wedgbury (Mukendi 59), Mendy, Daniel, Donnelly, Smith. Unused substitutes: Tomlinson, Thomas, Futcher.

Referee: P Gibbs (West Midlands).