Paul Warne post-Doncaster Rovers...
ROTHERHAM United boss Paul Warne praised his team’s togetherness as they grabbed a well-earned draw from the jaws of defeat at the expense of local rivals Doncaster Rovers, thanks to Kieffer Moore’s 13th goal of the season.
The home side looked on course to earn the South Yorkshire bragging rights after Richard Wood put through his own net, mid-way through the second-half, after earlier crashing a point-blank header against the bar.
With Semi Ajayi and sub Jonson Clarke-Harris also smashing efforts against the woodwork, the Millers were poised to make the short hop down the M18 empty-handed until Moore popped up late on to earn a share of the spoils - to the delight of the Rotherham supremo.
“I thought it was a typical derby game,” Warne admitted.
“Both teams were quite nervous. We were not as good in possession as I would have liked.
“I thought we were the better team in the first-half and created the better chances. They had a good 15 minute spell in the second half where they controlled the game.
“However, we changed our system and went three up top. I threw the kitchen sink at them so to score so late on feels like a win so I’m pretty pleased. You sometimes get what you deserve in football and sometimes you don’t, I think today we got what we deserved. We more than merited a point with our performance.”
With the clock ticking down on the Millers hopes, the vast travelling contingent were sent delirious when sub David Ball skipped through to latch onto fellow sub Richie Towell’s defence-splitting pass and although the former Fleetwood striker was denied by home ‘keeper Ian Lawlor, Moore was on-hand to slide the ball home at the second attempt.
Speaking to the assembled press corps afterwards, Warne was quick to hail the cool hand precision of his in-form striker, who kept his composure to level matters.
“Despite the last 10 minutes being scrappy, the players kept going and when it dropped to Bally, I thought here we go.” Warne added.
“It dropped to Kieffer. He has done well for us and it was the most ideal player for the ball to drop to. Goalscorers score goals and it fell to him at the right time.
“I thought we had enough chances to get something out of the game. To get a point away at your local rivals, in this way, is a good feeling and we now have a couple of home games to look forward to.”