Evans aims for automatic promotion as Nardiello proves his character

The striker responded to being dropped by coming off the bench in the second half and netting two headers as the Millers bounced back from their Boxing Day defeat to promotion rivals Port Vale.

The 4-1 win snapped a run of three successive home league defeats and Evans believes the addition of new blood in January, with a striker his priority, can help propel his team into the automatic promotion frame.

He said: “When we get one or two fresh faces in next month we will be ready to give it a right go in the second half of the season. It’s a squad that wins you promotion, not a favoured 10 or 11.

“We sit two points off the automatic promotion places. We’ve been inconsistent and we need to get better but we believe we will.”

Tom Eckersley’s own goal gave the Millers an early advantage but they squandered several good opportunities in the first half before being pegged back by a great strike from Craig Lindfield in the 40th minute.

Substitute Nardiello’s brace on 63 and 74 minutes turned the match and took his tally to 13 for the season. Michael O’Connor drove in the fourth goal.

Evans added: “Daniel was disappointed I left him out but he came on, scored two great headers and showed character and passion and I like that.”

Rotherham United: Warrington, Bradley, Ridehalgh, Mullins, Arnason, O’Connor, Frecklington (Walker 80), Taylor, Cameron (Nardiello 58), Agard, Revell (Odejayi 58). Unused substitutes: Thompson, Sharps, Pringle, O’Connell.

Accrington Stanley: Belford, Lindfield, Murphy, Eckersley, Liddle, Barnett (Molyneux 64), Joyce, Clark (Hatfield 76), Boco, Beattie (Amond 76), Carver. Unused substitutes: Dawber, Chippendale, Miller, Dixon.

Referee: R Clark (Northumberland).

Man of the match: Daniel Nardiello.