It was back to winning ways at Millmoor although home fans had to endure a nail biting last few minutes as Mansfield fought back well.

The Millers made a great start winning a corner after just 20 seconds with Derek Holmes heading wide and they were further boosted by taking the lead after just three minutes.

A corner wasn't dealt with and Marcus Bean fired home for his first Rotherham goal. At the other end Ian Sharps headed out for a corner following a free kick but back came the home team again for Holmes to head wide from a good Andy Todd cross.

Marc Newsham knocked the ball down for Holmes to have a shot blocked and then Todd had a shot saved as the Millers did virtually all the attacking.

Holmes had a 25 yarder saved before Hamshaw fired over the top at the other end but back came United again to add a second goal on 20 minutes. Steve Brogan crossed the ball for Holmes to head down and Newsham was alert to score with a well judged volley.

A great ball from Tonge won a corner from which Bean had a shot blocked and the Millers took their corner count to six inside the opening half an hour as they commanded the proceedings.

A rare Town attack saw Andy Warrington save a header from Boulding before Brogan had a free kick blocked and the half came to an end with Brogan firing wide.

Four minutes into the second period a Tonge cross following a good move was too deep while Mansfield saw Brown shoot well over the bar. Mullins had a header saved from a free kick while Danny Harrison saw his effort saved as play switched from end to end.

Boulding was next to be denied by Warrington while Harrison had another effort blocked and the Millers almost added a third goal on 65 minutes when Todd and Tonge linked well to find Newsham whose shot was well saved.

But the Millers went 3-0 up on 67 minutes when a long ball saw Newsham head for goal only for the ball to hit the bar. Fortunately Brogan was alert and followed up to score from close range.

Two Rotherham free kicks brought no further reward before the Stags pulled a goal back on 75 minutes. McAllister forced a brilliant save from Warrington at the expense of a corner that was headed down for Boulding to score.

Seven minutes later Town further reduced the arrears when another corner saw Warrington make yet another fine save from McAliskey's header but when the second corner came in Arnold turned to fire home.

Ryan Cresswell headed over the bar from a Rotherham corner and the Millers should have made the game safe on 89 minutes when a superb ball from Sharps sent Cahill clear but as he tried to round the keeper, he was robbed. That gave renewed hope to Town and the Millers had to survive two injury time corners before they were relived to hear the final whistle.

Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge, Sharps, Coughlan, Hurst, Todd, Holmes, Bean (Cresswell 72), Brogan, D. Holmes (Cahill 78), Newsham. Subs: Annerson, O'Grady, Duncum.

Mansfield: Muggleton, Kitchen (Arnold 57), Baptiste, Mullins, Martin, McAllister, Bell, Dawson, Hamshaw (McAliskey 73), Boulding, Brown. Subs: White, Holmes, Sleath.

Referee: Dave Foster (Tyne and Wear).

Attendance: 3,881.