Blake at double for City

Robbie Blake struck twice and Ashley Ward returned with a goal as City made amends for their Millwall mishap by beating Rotherham at Valley Parade.

City's injury-ravaged side recovered from a shaky start to deserve the points as Blake took his tally to 11. Rob Scott got one back from a corner - one of 15 the Millers forced - before Ward's header banked the victory.

Mix-and-match City were forced into making five changes from the defeat to Millwall as injuries and suspensions bit deep into Jim Jefferies' resources.

Centre-half Steven Caldwell was hurriedly brought in on loan from Newcastle and he was given a debut straight away in a much-altered defence.

Juanjo was given his first start since arriving from Hearts at the end of October. Lee Makel was also in from the kick-off for the first time in the league, having made ten appearances as a substitute.

Teenager Lewis Emanuel replaced Wayne Jacobs while up front Ashley Ward was rushed back from a nine-game absence with ankle trouble to take over from Andy Tod.

Lee Sharpe was named on the bench, his first involvement since a knee operation at the end of August.

Caldwell got a first touch inside 20 seconds to cut out a pass from Chris Sedgwick as Rotherham launched an immediate probe on the new-look back four.

Stuart McCall began at right back to add some experience while the midfield included two genuine wingers for the first time.

Rotherham threatened after two minutes as Mark Robins' flick got John Mullin bursting through from midfield. His shot was closed down by Aidan Davison who gathered at the second attempt.

But the visitors were straight back on the attack and Robins won the opening corner with a deflected shot. As City struggled to get it away, Davison was nearly caught out by a deep cross.

City countered after five minutes with a cross from Matt Etherington. Ward slipped as he shaped to shoot and it ran on to Juanjo who scuffed across goal from 15 yards.

Caldwell justified his inclusion with a crucial sliding tackle to deny Mullin before Davison punched clear from a second Rotherham corner.

Mullin continued to be a threat and got on the end of an Andy Monkhouse cross after 11 minutes. Davison thought about coming but stayed on his line and took it on the bounce.

Etherington was fouled 25 yards out and Juanjo's free-kick came off the wall to give City a first corner which was cleared by Martin McIntosh.

Rotherham's leading scorer Robins was given too much space after 15 minutes and fired in a skidding 20-yarder which Davison turned behind. Two more corners followed before Davison had his hands warmed by a long-range scorcher from Sedgwick.

Eoin Jess tried to get things going with a one-two with Juanjo on the edge of the Rotherham box. But Ward, clearly not fully fit, was unable to keep the move alive.

The home fans tried to rally their side who were playing second fiddle to the visitors in the opening quarter. Jess dragged a drive wide and threw his arms up in frustration.

Blake was similarly annoyed when a corner was not awarded after Chris Swailes appeared to get the decisive touch as the pair chased arm to arm for Emanuel's long clearance.

The danger signs were still flashing at the other end where Robins was screaming for a pass in acres of space but thankfully for City, Myers cut out the supply line.

After 34 minutes Juanjo bent a useful ball behind Rotherham's right but Makel's run was let down by a poor first touch.

City appealed in vain for a handball but Rotherham broke with menace and Etherington was caught out by Sedgwick's pace on the right wing. He caught him late and received the first booking.

HT: City 0 Rotherham 0

Rotherham made a change for the second half, bringing on Richie Barker for Lee.

Ward tried to get City going by finding Juanjo hugging the right touchline and he won a corner off Hurst. Scott got it away as far as the taker Etherington whose cross dropped nicely for Ward in the six-yard box. The ball spun away from him to Myers who fired just wide from ten yards.

City were screaming for a penalty after 52 minutes when Etherington was tugged back in the box after Makel and Juanjo had launched an impressive break.

Instead ref Mike Jones gave an indirect free-kick for instruction. Blake hit it hard and low and the ball pinged off Myers but over the Rotherham bar.

But City got their spot kick within two minutes - and grabbed the lead.

It came from a Rotherham corner where Sedgwick was bundled off the ball and suddenly the break was on. Etherington powered away with Emanuel in support. Etherington charged to the edge of the penalty area before slipping the ball to the fullback who was bundled over by Mullin.

This time the official had no doubts and gave the penalty which BLAKE confidently slipped past Mike Pollitt.

City's tails were up, Blake's in particular, and the little striker was far from finished.

As Rotherham reeled, BLAKE collected an Etherington pass cutting in from the left, sucked in the defenders before firing a left-footer beyond Pollitt.

City were suddenly full of confidence and Etherington had a shot blocked before they won a corner where Makel's curling cross was punched out by the goalkeeper.

Juanjo tried an angled drive which Pollitt lost in a collision with McIntosh but Rotherham managed to scramble the loose ball clear.

They took their corner count into double figures and from it got the goal they needed. Again Sedgwick had the shooting chance, driving through a crowd of players.

Jess blocked on the line but there was SCOTT at the far post to nudge home the rebound from three yards.

Now the home nerves were jangling once again as Rotherham threw bodies forward. With 13 minutes left, Paul Warne replaced the tiring Robins.

Etherington continued to push and probe Rotherham's defence and jinked between two markers for a right-foot shot straight at Pollitt.

Etherington's effort at goal was his last involvement and he was replaced in the 81st minute by Sharpe, who had not played since the Worthington Cup first round.

Blake was enjoying himself and thought he had a hat-trick with a low effort which Pollitt nudged behind. From Juanjo's corner, WARD thumped an unstoppable header in off the underside of the bar.

Rotherham made their third and final change with Nick Daws taking over from Monkhouse.

They won another corner before Scott appeared from nowhere ten yards out but Davison saved well with his feet.

Rotherham had another close-range scramble kicked away from inside the six-yard box.