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Rotherham 1-3 Bristol Rovers
Image source, Getty Images
Claude Davis was sent off on his Rotherham debut as Bristol Rovers secured a convincing win to lift them off the bottom of the League Two table.
It was Davis who bundled over Ryan Brunt to earn Rovers a penalty, which was converted by midfielder Lee Brown.
The defender then received a second yellow card just before half-time.
Ellis Harrison's superb solo effort made it 2-0 and Joe Anyinsah drilled home a third before substitute David Noble grabbed a consolation.
It was a memorable first senior goal for 18-year-old Harrison, who came through Rovers' academy set-up.
He had only been on the pitch for two minutes, having come on as a substitute for Eliot Richards, when he picked up the ball on the half-way line, weaved through the Millers' defence and fired a fierce right-footed shot past Andy Warrington.
Forward Anyinsah had been out of favour under former Rovers boss Mark McGhee but has rediscovered his form since John Ward's return - his powerful low effort into the bottom-left corner was his second goal in three games.
Noble gave Ward's side a scare when he drilled in just two minutes after arriving on the field, but Rovers settled their nerves and claimed a valuable three points.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Bristol Rovers manager John Ward told 91热爆 Radio Bristol:
"We had to get through the first 20 minutes without a dent, and we did that pretty well.
"We scored two great goals and and showed a bit of quality.
"We had a discipline about the team and they responded very well.
"It gives the players a lift as they now know what they can achieve. They shouldn't limit themselves to what they can do."
Rotherham manager Steve Evans told 91热爆 Radio Sheffield:
"I think if you make individual errors like that then you're going to lose football matches.
"I don't think there is a manager or coaching staff in the the country that can legislate for the three errors that gave Bristol Rovers three goals.
"We lacked energy, a spark, a passion but we still dominated the ball.
"We didn't work hard enough and if you don't work hard enough then you don't get the chance to play properly."