BARKER: WE WILL FIGHT TO THE END

Stand-in is ‘proud’ of Millers

- Richard Latham

RICHIE Barker was a proud man after seeing Rotherham ease their Championship relegation fears with a massive three points at Bristol City.

Again in charge because of Paul Warne’s self-isolation, the assistant-manager oversaw a committed display that suggested all is not lost in the battle to beat the drop.

They are now only three points behind fourth-from-bottom Birmingham, with four games in hand.

But Barker’s delight was matched by Nigel Pearson’s frustration as headers from Michael Smith in the 44th minute and Richard Wood in the 74th minute condemned City to a club record sixth successive home defeat.

Barker said: “I’ve told the players that a lot of the other clubs battling to stay up will look at our result and wonder how it happened. They will be surprised. Only time will tell whether having so many games in hand will prove positive for us, but there is so much still to play for.