Rotherham United manager Paul Warne was pleased with his side’s reaction to going a goal down, as they came from behind to defeat Queens Park Rangers at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
The Millers fell behind at the start of the second half, when Lyndon Dykes swept home an Osman Kakay cross.
Warne’s side rallied and turned the game on it’s head inside two minutes, thanks to a brace from Freddie Ladapo, before Michael Smith sealed the win in injury-time.
After what he described as a nervy first half performance, he was delighted to see his charges put in an assured display in the second to take the game away from their visitors.
“I thought it was an enjoyable game against a really good footballing side,” Warne told www.themillers.co.uk.
“They had more possession than us and we tried to set up the best way we could.
“Four games in eight days is difficult for any team, so we had to try and spread the load out as best we can. I thought everyone who played out a real shift in.
“We were nervy in the first half and it felt a little bit edgy. In the second half, I was disappointed with the way they got their goal, because we’re usually very good at stopping teams from playing out.
“The way Lyndon Dykes took the goal was some screamer and I can’t criticise my goalkeeper.
“From there, the lads really bounced back. We made subs, as we were always planning to do and two goals from Freddie got us right back in the game and then Smudge sealed it with a left footer – which is a collection item!”
The Millers were unfortunate not to take three points from their trip to Huddersfield Town last Saturday, with a host of glorious chances going begging.
This time, Warne was pleased to see his side capitalise on their opportunities against the Londoners.
“They were all good goals and I thought Freddie was going to go for the hat-trick, but he headed it across to Woody which is rare for him!
“QPR were going for it and left themselves open at the back and Lindsay picked out the right pass for Smudge.
“I was thinking it would be a great time to get a goal and he took it really well.
“As a manager you come out and sometimes the performance is really good and you just don’t take your chances.
“But tonight, I feel like we performed really well and took our chances, which is credit to the lads.”
Warne was also quick to praise the togetherness of his team and stressed that it played a big part in defeating an in-form side.
“I hope our character has never been questioned. It was just nice to be involved in an ‘Atletico Madrid’ performance, in which every header and every tackle was clapped.
“It just felt like the lads were really together. It was really nice to get a win, our home form hasn’t been great, so to get a win heading into three more is a big boost.
“For us to beat a good team like that is a real credit to the lads. It was a good performance and I just think our press rattled them a bit.
“The game could have gone either way, goals change games and fair play to our strikers who have won it for us tonight.”