ROVERS provided supporters with some light relief as they ended their six-match winless run – and Rotherham’s 11-game unbeaten streak.

An early goal from the recalled Shane Duffy was enough to earn Paul Lambert’s side a victory which would have been more emphatic had it not been for the heroics of Lee Camp.

And it is a victory which moved them up to 15th going into the final match of a season that will end with a second managerial departure.

Lambert made four changes for what was Rovers’ last away game of the campaign and their first since he announced his intention to walk away after six months in the job.

Duffy, Matt Grimes, Darragh Lenihan and Elliott Bennett replaced Elliott Ward, Corry Evans, Hope Akpan and Connor Mahoney.

And there was also a change in system as Lambert went with a 3-4-1-2 formation in which Ben Marshall and Grimes provided the width.

Rovers were roared on by 1,225 fans at the sun-kissed New York Stadium and, after a turbulent week that cast doubt over the future direction of the club, many made their feelings known.

‘Venky’s out’ was chanted before, during and after the match while a banner bearing the same words was brandished.

Lancashire Telegraph:

But that never stopped the magnificent blue and white army from getting behind their team who scored what proved to be the winner six minutes in.

It was all so straightforward as Grimes swung a left-footed corner into the middle of the area where centre-back Duffy planted a firm header past Camp to take his tally for the term up to four.

No side has netted more goals from set-pieces in the Championship this season than Rovers and they nearly got another one in the 16th minute.

A Grimes free kick dropped to Jordi Gomez and his shot was blocked into the path of Grant Hanley who was unable to force the ball over the line.

Then it was the turn of the in-form Millers to go close as Joe Mattock side-footed wide after Leon Best played the ball back across the box.

Best, who was making his first appearance against Rovers since they paid him off in the summer, was booed throughout by the travelling supporters.

In an open first half both goalkeepers were forced into saves with Camp showing quick reactions to deny Danny Graham from close range and Jason Steele keeping out long-range attempts from Grant Ward and Frazer Richardson.

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But on the stroke of half-time Steele should have been given no chance by Best who somehow managed to head the ball wide from inside the six-yard area.

And the ex-Rovers striker should have been made to pay in the 57th minute when Marshall threaded an exquisite ball through to Gomez.

But the Spanish midfielder fired straight into the body of Camp who had raced out of his goal.

Then it was the turn of Rovers to survive a scare as another of their former forwards, Matt Derbyshire, who received a standing ovation from all sides of the ground when he was later taken off, flashed a header wide.

The opportunities continued to pile up and the man-of-the-match Camp turned away a near-post shot from Bennett, whose resultant corner was headed over by Duffy.

But the Rotherham keeper saved his best stop until the 74th minute when he flew to his left to claw a Gomez header from a Grimes cross past the post. It was a stunning save.

Substitute Simeon Jackson skied Grimes’ resultant corner over the bar. It mattered little, however, as Rovers saw out the rest of the contest to record their 12th victory of the league campaign and their 14th clean sheet.

Rotherham: Camp, Kelly, Broadfoot, Wood, Mattock (Richardson 40), Halford, G Ward, Smallwood, Frecklington (Thomas 71), Derbyshire (D Ward 73), Best. Subs not used: Kenny, Clarke-Harris, Belaid, Green.

Rovers: Rovers: Steele, Duffy, Hanley, Kilgallon, Marshall, Lowe, Lenihan, Grimes (Conway 86), Gomez (Evans 79), Bennett (Jackson 68), Graham. Subs not used: Raya, Henley, Brown, Mahoney.

Goal: Duffy 6.

Referee: Stephen Martin.

Attendance: 11,035 (1,225 away).