What a result. Roll on brizzle Saturday. Pity about best being sent off. Clean sheet. Off the bottom of the table, into double figures. Well done lads. UTM

great result and well done to the manager seems some of the points about team selection got through, hope he continues to do well

To use one of Steve Evans' phrases, what a roller coaster ride Saturday turned out to be. I went up to Elland Road more in hope than any real expectation. I suspect that the vast majority of the travelling support pretty much agreed with that. Leeds had begun to improve under the new management team whilst we'd arguably got worse. Judging by comments from the fans on the various websites, Leeds had definitely got the better deal of this managerial swap.

A freezing cold day accompanied by an arctic wind plus extortionate ticket prices and those low expectations had depleted the Millers contingent in the large crowd, although to be honest there were more than I'd expected after discovering that less than 600 tickets had been sold up to late Wednesday evening!

Nine changes including debuts for newly signed Kelly and Best suggested that we fans weren't the only ones who'd realised that something had to be done and quickly after the Ipswich debacle.

Before the game, the sombre events of last week's events in Paris, were remembered and observed.

It did seem odd to see our former management duo in the home ranks, it was also a nice gesture from Mr E to applaud the Millers fans just prior to kick off.

Early exchanges suggested that these were two evenly matched teams with very few chances and neither side was able to put a string of passes together and possession changed hands at an alarming rate.Shades of last season's non event came to mind as both sets of players huffed a bit and puffed a bit but never remotely suggested blowing the house down!

Leeds did have the lion's share of possession and almost all the chances, however few, created. Lee Camp though was back to his very confident best and with Stephen Kelly offering a bit more pace and skill in defence we looked much more composed in defence. Camp was called on to pull off a fine save as the minutes ticked away to the break and Leeds had a goal disallowed for a blatant offside.

At the other end, Leon Best was having a fine debut alongside JCH, both of whom were a real handful for a young looking Leeds backline. Frecklington, how we've missed him, was driving us forward and Smallwood looked more of the player we'd come to rely on during last season's great escape. Mattock, back after injury provided that experience and steadiness so lacking in recent weeks.

I spoke too soon as it transpired that once again Mattock had picked up an injury and failed to reappear for the second half and on came Toffolo. No wonder he wasn't offered a new deal by the Owls. Leeds almost caught everyone napping with a shot from the kick off that flashed wide of Camp's post!

After that early scare though, we improved and our confidence was growing, we pressed forward and after a slick move Newell put us one up with a fine header which highlighted the defensive frailties of the home defence. In an effort to draw level, they swept forward on every occasion without troubling our defence too much and on the odd occasion we ventured upfield we threatened to increase that lead. Bit biased that but I'm sticking to it!

Talking point of that second period was the double sending off. Initially I thought Best's challenge a little innocuous but after watching it on the television perhaps I was looking at it through rose tinted spectacles? Their players reacted badly and Beradi was rightly dismissed too. In fact Leeds were fortunate not to have a second player sent off as Bellucci looked to have head butted Best for good measure!

Shame that Best will now miss the next three games as his partnership with JCH looked promising.

There were one or two more heart stopping moments to endure before the referee blew his whistle and Redfern had his first win as manager of RUFC. Fans and players alike celebrated like we'd actually won something and the home fans disappeared quietly from the stadium.

Redfearn didn't join in but offered a wry smile as he left the pitch and went down the tunnel. A job well done.

Before the game I worried that Steve Evans would "do a job on us" as he knew most of our players well. What actually happened was that Neil Redfern "did a job on them".

It had been a very good afternoon in West Yorkshire, that renowned fight and desire was back in abundance as everyone in a Rotherham shirt gave their all. We now need to replicate that desire starting with Saturday's vital game with Bristol City.

Ratings:

Camp 9 Oozed confidence which clearly fed down to the outfield players and rarely looked in trouble.

Buxton 7 A little pedestrian at times but improved as the game wore on, lacks the pace to offer too much going forward though.

Mattock 7 Would have scored higher if he'd managed to play both halves. He's so assured in possession and reads the game well when he's not in possession. Unfortunately, he's always injured and is likely to be out yet again following another injury!

Kelly 8 Improved as the game wore on, offered pace alongside the slow but effective Broadfoot. He should become a regular in the side.

Broadfoot 8 Back to his very best, what he lacks in pace he makes up for in his positional awareness.

G Ward 7 Struggled to make much impact especially in the first half, improved as the game wore on and almost scored a second in that final minute.

Frecklington 8 How we've missed his drive and determination in recent weeks, looked tired near the end but had a great game.

Smallwood 8 After some uncharacteristically poor performances in recent weeks was back to the form that made him such a favourite last season.

Newell 8 A performance of two halves. Low key and ineffective first half, a quite awesome second half culminating in his goal. One of SE's best signings in my opinion.

JCH 8 A real handful and gave 100% throughout. is improving every game and will prove a real star man in the months to come.

Best 7 Did well considering he's not played for months, a bit greedy at times when in possession but his partnership with JCH looked promising until his early exit which was stupid and will cost him a run of games.

Toffolo 8 Came on for the injured Mattock and gave a much improved performance after his little boy lost display against Ipswich. One goal saving tackle near the end summed up his and the team's desire to keep a clean sheet.

D Ward 7 Came on for a tiring JCH and actually held the ball up quite well. Did okay in my opinion.

Redfearn 9 Did a job on his former club and at last played what, in my opinion, is his best team. Offered a more balanced assessment of the game than his opposite number in the Leeds ranks after the game.

Referee and his officials 6 Far too inconsistent to score higher, several infuriating decision left both sets of players somewhat bewildered at times.