Rotherham United boss Paul Warne was full of praise for his rotated side that recorded a 3-2 victory over Doncaster Rovers in the Leasing.com Trophy encounter at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Millers showed their character to come from behind to win the all-South Yorkshire affair, which could have ended more heavily in their favour had Carlton Morris not been denied by Ian Lawlor from the penalty spot.
Speaking after the game, Warne was pleased to see his side add another win to their total for the week after the game against Coventry City at the weekend, reserving special commendation for debutant Trevor Clarke.
“I thought we started really well. We got the ball wide and got crosses into the box and forced an early goal,” he enthused.
“Then we went away from it a bit and we didn't get it wide as often and we started overplaying.
“They scored an unbelievable goal which was disappointing from our point of view but at half time we spoke to the lads as told them they were getting success getting it wide and getting crosses in.
“You could see the character of the lads and they came back and there was pressure on them to do that, but on chances alone we definitely deserved it.
“Carlton has missed a penalty and a header from close range and there were chances in the first half that we should have put away.
“On the whole, we're pretty pleased. We've taken a couple of injuries regrettably and the subs weren't the ones I wanted to make, when I wanted to make them but you just have to roll with it.
“To win a game is always good, we've backed it up from Saturday and now we have to regroup ahead of this Saturday.
Warne on Clarke’s debut performance, which included an assist and a goal after being introduced at half time.
“It wasn't bad [debut] was it. The first five minutes was a bit of a whirlwind for him. We signed him as a left back who can bomb on and he is another option to play out wide possibly.
“He is definitely game. The lads love him in the dressing room. He is a really infectious kid, unfortunately the first game he played when he arrived he did his knee and he's been out for a period of time.
“He's only been training with the squad for three or four days, so to have that amount of impact it was some 45 minutes.”