START spreading the news…a new Burnley strike partnership was born at the New York Stadium.

Manager Sean Dyche has tried five different combinations this season through form, fitness and transfers. But in Sam Vokes and Andre Gray he appears to have landed on a winner.

They were certainly a winning partnership tonight.

Vokes is now joint top-scorer with three, alongside defender Michael Keane.

But for the first time this season the front two found the net in the same game - Gray in the ninth minute and Vokes with the winner in the 81st.

Grant Ward’s spectacular 75th minute strike meant there was not to be a clean sheet for Tom Heaton to mark his 100th Burnley game and third England call-up.

But the Clarets will be encouraged by their swift and decisive reaction to Rotherham’s equaliser.

Gray went straight back into the line-up after a hamstring strain kept him out of last Saturday’s home defeat to Reading.

And there was an immediate response, with Burnley buoyed also by Joey Barton’s first start.

The Clarets found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening nine minutes against the Royals, but set about making amends by taking a ninth minute lead.

Michael Duff’s free kick was headed on by Ben Mee and picked up by George Boyd, who was challenged, but the ball spun up off Richie Smallwood’s foot and fell kindly for the onrushing Gray to beat Lee Camp in a foot-race to the 50-50 ball and poke past the keeper.

But with Rotherham looking bright and the players out to impress interim boss Eric Black - with certain sections of the dressing room lifted by Steve Evans’ departure earlier in the week - the Clarets really needed a second to give them a more comfortable cushion.

It was not forthcoming in the first half but it was not for the want of trying.

The Millers attempted to draw level first though.

Grant Ward, who had an early shot from distance straight at Heaton, thumped a shot from a half-cleared corner into the ground and wide.

Jonson Clarke-Harris was then clipped by Barton outside the area and made a meal of it to win a free kick that was fizzed wide by Tony Andreu.

The Frenchman then shot wildly again moments later, and swung his leg in frustration at another chance squandered.

Rotherham looked bright on the ball when they had it, but were being restricted to shots from distance, unlike Burnley who were more penetrative with their movement in the final third.

Fresh from his first goal last weekend Tendayi Darikwa’s deflected shot wrong-fitted Camp, but the keeper managed to recover and stop the ball.

Gray then went down under Lewis Buxton’s challenge but no penalty was given. Dyche shouted from the dug-out, but Gray only half-heartedly appealed.

Vokes came the closest to doubling the advantage just after the half-hour when his fierce left foot strike smacked against the crossbar.

Rotherham moved up to the other end quickly, but Joe Newell was caught offside.

The Clarets came again.  Boyd’s cross beaten away by Camp with Gray lurking, Burnley kept the ball alive and David Jones brought the keeper into action again with a good save to his right from the midfielder’s drive.

Burnley’s need for a second was emphasised when former Great Harwood and Blackburn Rovers striker Matt Derbyshire’s shot on the turn required a good save from Heaton just before the break.

Bar Barton’s 40-yard drive that was stopped by Farrend Rawson on the edge of his own box, and Arfield’s follow-up that he couldn’t keep on target on his 100th Clarets appearance also, Burnley failed to match their first half creativity after the interval.

Equally, though, there was little to trouble Heaton. That was until Grant Ward unleashed an unstoppable strike to make it 1-1.

Quick reactions from Vokes made for a good reaction for Burnley to win it.

Arfield’s shot was parried by Camp and Vokes was on hand to steer home.