Rotherham go out with pride

"We are a fledgling team that's only just been put together this Summer and played just a handful of games together," said Robins.

"Many people were seeing us last night - on the bigger stage as well on TV - for the first time and were probably wondering what we were like. Well, I think we gave them a decent idea for the most part.

"That first half, particularly, will have earned us a bit of respect and perhaps the people of Rotherham can see that we are going the right way about turning things round.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm disappointed with the result but I'm not going to complain too much. If we play in this manner and get up for games, then we'll be absolutely fine."

The Millers boss said it was encouraging the amount of chances created against a Championship side.

"That gives us a lot to be encouraged about and shows we are capable of creating chances. Their 'keeper made an unbelievable save - the best I've seen for a long time - to stop it being 2-0 and we hit the bar as well. Yes, they had great chances as well but they will do and, in the end, they stretched us with their quality.

"It was a great atmosphere - our fans were great - and I think, for the most part, we did the club proud.

"We've now got another big game on Sunday against Peterborough down here and we've got to be up for that one as well because they are flying." Kick off for that game is 2pm.

Midfielder Stephen Brogan went off with a slight hamstring strain.

The

club had already suffered one defeat before last night's game.

They failed in their High Court bid to take landlords CF Booth Ltd., - the company of former chairman Ken Booth - to trial to challenge ground leases and agreements.

The judge struck out the club's claim on a technical point of law under the Insolvency Act, declaring the club had no real prospect of winning the case.

He refused leave to appeal and ordered the club to pay defence costs with 25,000 on account.

The club say they are now considering a civil action against Ken Booth but are planning talks with the former chairman. During the months of wrangling, the Booth company, as landlords, have increased the rent which had previously been 13,000 a month.