Our third away victory of this troubled season was arguably our most satisfying, coming as it did against our "Massive" neighbours and against their much vaunted star studded team. They've splashed the cash in order to reach the Promised Land of the Premiership and their fans and local media have certainly bought into it.

This was a game that the Owls were nailed on to win, a three point banker. Even many of our fans had predicted defeat and many decided against the short trip. Shame that so few travelling Millers were present but it didn't really matter.

A variety of reasons were offered for staying away. High ticket prices? But I'd paid more at Leeds and Middlesbrough! Their stadium is a dive? Short memories here, remember those trips to Accrington and Macclesfield not so long ago, Hillsborough is positively luxurious compared to many stadiums I've watched the Millers at in very recent times. We don't want to be present after a drubbing, think of all those gloating home fans? I've been to lots of away games this season and we've only managed two wins before this one, surely they're used to seeing us lose, you support the team no matter?

Had we played this game a few weeks ago, I'm quite certain we'd have lost. Now we had an ace up our sleeves, arch tactician Neil Warnock. Hated, loathed detested by the Owls but I suspect also respected,

Here was a man with the experience we'd been crying out for all season. He can't work miracles overnight and it had taken until his fourth game in charge to register a goal, but last weekend's all action display against Brentford had given us hope that somehow and in spite of our somewhat hopeless situation, he might yet save our Championship status.

Many Owls fans had been keen to dilute the games importance, it was just another fixture, just another three points at stake. Some, even suggested that it didn't qualify as a local derby!

I suppose that they are The Massive and it is an honour simply to be playing them.

Despite this being just another game, many more home fans did turn out and almost 29,000 fans swelled the attendance. I'm not too sure where those extra fans appeared from but it definitely improved the atmosphere by filling the stadium. I wonder if as Rotherham's fans chanted They'd come to see the Millers? Unlikely. Could it have been due to ticket prices not being sky high as had been threatened? Don't think so as their game against Charlton in a couple of weeks in just £20 admission. Could it be that numbers of curious neutrals had turned out? Not sure. Whatever the reasons it was good to see the old crumbling stadium well attended.

Rumours of an unchanged Millers starting line up proved incorrect. Thomas and Best were sacrificed to Danny Ward and Grant Ward. Greg Halford was to play in front of the back four. Interesting?

I'll not say much about the ninety minutes except that in that first half, we played as well as I'd witnessed since we'd gained promotion to this Championship. Wednesday fans will say they played poorly in that same 45 minutes and I'd agree but there was an element of us actually causing them to play this way. Danny Ward and Derbyshire were leading their defence a merry dance and Grant Ward's pace was a joy to behold. Defensively we were coping well with their much heralded strikers. Greg Halford proved to be the key here, breaking up attack after attack and completely negating any threat from the likes of Hooper, who I'm my opinion looked a tad overweight and not as mobile as I'd imagined he could be,indeed, the service from their midfield was virtually non existent.

We scored one and should have doubled or maybe even trebled that lead. Home support was silenced as the Millers, smaller than usual in numbers but much more vocal than usual chanted about the three sides being likened to a library.

There's usually a refereeing issue in every game we play and this proved no exception as McGeady for once got to the byline and crossed for Turner to deflect the ball past Camp, only for the referee, after consultation with the linesman, to rule it out for offside. I was sat behind that goal and it looked offside to me. After the game, video evidence seem to suggest that Turner was played onside by Mattock. I'm still not convinced as it's easy to offer a variety of angles for something as tight as that. I've seen still images of the incident which suggest that the referee was correct.

Hey ho! You win some of those, you lose some. We've been the victim of many such alleged injustices before.

At half time, we all agreed that we ought to have been at least two goals to the good and that the Owls would improve.

On came Lucas Joao, the player who'd done so well against us at NYS early on this season. He fired them up with his pace. They huffed a bit, they puffed a bit but never really looked capable of blowing the house down. They hit the bar and Camp made a couple of saves, their fans in desperation appealed for everything, the referee stood firm and as the minutes ticked away our Master Manager slowed things down by his substitutes. Great moments for us Millers, infuriating for the Owls. Derbyshire looking the other way and at the opposite end of the pitch when being subbed. Grant Ward developing a limp as he came off, lovely!

As the time ticked away, Smallwood might have become an overnight legend but somehow blazed wide with just the keeper to beat after a great ball from Best but it didn't really matter.

2,600 Millers celebrated with the players as the whistle ended the game. Camp ran the length of the pitch to salute the fans and conducted the fans in a final cheer. Neil Warnock offered a wry smile, job done. This was a famous victory, more important to us than them? Not sure, probably as important. Bragging rights secured at least for a few months. 

Key to our win was the unexpected role of Halford, who is quite simply a rejuvenated player under the guidance of Neil W. He broke up their attacking play before they got near to our gaol on numerous occasions and was arguably the man of the Match. Camp was as assured as ever and must give the men in front of him great confidence. Danny Ward led the line superbly and Grant Ward's running and pace was a revelation.

Matt Derbyshire seems to come alive in February/March time and I wonder if he''ll score goals on a regular basis now, much as he did last season this time? 

Two Cup Finals won, eleven remaining! Middlesbrough up next, the miracle is still possible.