Buoyed by the recent 1-0 success on the road Rotherham United make a swift return to away duty as they travel to take on Accrington Stanley with a massive incentive.
Despite that victory against Dagenham & Redbridge the Millers remain in sixth position in League Two, however just two points separate them from an automatic promotion place and with neither of their rivals in action they know that a win would see them enter the top three.
Boss Ronnie Moore is sweating on the fitness of Nicky Law who is struggling with a groin injury and is fighting to be fit for the crunch clash. Dale Tonge recovered from his foot problem to make a late substitute appearance against the Daggers and should be available for selection; meanwhile Gavin Gunning who missed that match with a leg injury is back in contention. Paul Warne (ankle) and Andy Liddell (achilles) remain the only long term absentees.
The hosts still have a number of injuries to contend with, Leam Richardson will again miss out while Alan Burton has been in contact with a specialist regarding his on-going ankle trouble, perhaps the most significant absentee is that of top scorer Bobby Grant, the midfielder who has 16 goals to his name so far recently suffered a hamstring injury which kept him out Stanley's 2-1 victory over Barnet and with his recover time not yet known he will be forced to watch from the sidelines again. Goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin will also be unavailable for manager John Coleman; he was sent off in that match against the Bees and will serve a one match suspension as a result.
With their latest result the Millers recorded their tenth victory on their travels in the league this season and they will arrive at the Crown Ground with confidence having taken all of the spoils in three of their last four away encounters. It is worth noting that their away form accounts for just over 50% of their record this season with 31 of their 59 points having come away from Don Valley.
Having reached the 50 point mark and as good as secured their League Two status with their impressive win against Barnet Stanley are now looking to finish the season with a flourish. Currently they sit in 12th position in the league but have a top seven finish still within their grasp. A record of eight victories and just the one draw from 15 home matches sees those just five points behind the play-off pack and with just one league defeat since the turn of the year they have hit form on home soil and will fancy their chances.
The Millers will be looking to make it 25 wins against their opponents in all competitions having had the better of the history books. In total the two have come face to face on 50 occasions and with 10 draws Accrington Stanley have only managed to get the upper hand 16 times. Rotherham's dominance in recent years is so strong that before suffering a 1-0 defeat in March 2008 the last time they were on the wrong end of a result was way back in the 1938/39 campaign when Stanley recorded a 2-1 victory.
Last season this fixture ending with a 3-1 victory for the Millers and if they continue their excellent run against their hosts they will record their fifth league double of the season having ran out 1-0 winners when they met in the reverse fixture on the opening day.
Words: Chris Ellison
