Torquay United v Rotherham United: Evans believes Millers can hunt down top pair

League Two’s top pair are 12 and 10 points, respectively, ahead of the Millers who have slipped out of the play-off places and into ninth on the back of a run of three defeats in four.

Despite all the signs pointing towards Vale and the Gills being free and clear to dispute the title between them, leaving only the third automatic promotion place up for grabs, a typically bullish Evans reckons his team can haul in at least one of them.

“We are probably the only team that can catch them, if we can put a run together,” said Evans.

“If we can get three points at Torquay, win in the derby and our game in hand and then freshen ourselves up in those few days we have off, then the point differential will be six or seven points with 14 games to go. That’s a bridge that can be crossed.”

Amid the current bout of inconsistency in the fourth tier, Evans said Bradford’s defeat at home to second-placed Gillingham was the result that surprised him most.

“There’s been no consistency between third and 10th,” he said. “We are still very much in charge of our destiny.”

Evans’s outburst towards referee Eddie Ilderton following Saturday’s defeat at Burton is an episode he hopes to put behind him. He met with referees’ chief David Allison after the game.

“It was very courteous and honest and at the end of it we concluded we just move on,” said Evans, who branded Ilderton ‘rude and obnoxious’.

“We learn from it and hopefully others learn from it.”

Last six games: Torquay LLDWLL, Rotherham WLLLWL.

Last time: Torquay 3 Rotherham 3; September 17, 2011; League Two.

Referee: B Malone (Wiltshire).