Clarke on Rotherdam Draw

Nick Blackman scored his 11th goal of the season in a 1-1 draw against a struggling Rotherham side at the New York Stadium. Steve Clarke admitted after the game that he was happy with us risking a point by trying to get all three back to Berkshire, but a with Rotherham introducing new manager Neil Redfearn for the first time at home, the spoils were shared.

Blackman scored midway through the first half with a fantastic strike to put us ahead at half time, but Rotherham equalised early on in the second half after some poor defending from a set-play. After that, it was an end-to-end game with both sides trying to get that all important win.

Clarke told the Official Website after the game, "It was a decent first half and we had reasonable control of the game. At 1-0 up at half-time, we spoke about consolidating in the second half and trying to push and get the second goal that would maybe have given us the three points."

"But credit to Rotherham - they came out and started quick. It was sloppy play from us to concede a goal from a corner. At 1-1 it was an open game with big chances to get the second goal and both 'keepers made really good saves."

"It was probably a really good second half for the neutral - it was end-to-end stuff. I risked a bit, because there was a spell in the second half when I thought it was too open. We could have closed it up and shut up shop, but I was prepared to risk the point to try and get the three."

"When you go away from the Championship, every point you get is hard-earned. We earned a difficult point here tonight; we'll add it to the tally and look forward to the next game."