Strike pair Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick netted in the third and sixth minutes as Town took their winning run to four games via a 2-0 home victory over Rotherham United and moved up to fourth in the table. Murphy nodded home from close range following a corner, before McGoldrick smashed home from 25 yards.

Kevin Bru was handed his full home debut and Paul Anderson also returned to the side, with Cole Skuse, who has been suffering with a toe injury, missing out and Teddy Bishop dropping to the bench.

The Millers included ex-Blues keeper Scott Loach and former loanees Frazer Richardson and Paul Green from the start, but on-loan Town pair Paul Taylor and Anthony Wordsworth were ineligible.

Loach was forced into action in only the second minute. McGoldrick swept a pass wide to Jonny Parr at right-back and the Norwegian sent over a left-footed cross to the far post from where Murphy hit a low volley which the Rotherham keeper saved down to his right. The ball was played back into the area and Sammon saw a shot deflect just wide.

From the resultant corner the Blues went in front. Skipper Luke Chambers headed Anderson’s cross goalwards, Loach blocked but Murphy was on hand to nod the loose ball home to claim his fourth goal of the season.

Three minutes later it was 2-0. Luke Hyam brought the ball forward towards the edge of the area and teed up McGoldrick 25 yards out and the striker lashed a strike to Loach’s left and into the net for his third goal of the campaign.

The Blues, looking as confident as they have for some time, immediately went looking for a third and on nine McGoldrick was sent away on the right but chipped into Loach’s hands from a difficult angle.

Rotherham started to make some impact on a game which already looked all but lost. On 11 Anderson blocked Ryan Hall’s edge of the area strike, then five minutes later Alex Revell shot well wide from a similar distance.

One-time Braintree striker Revell had another opportunity on 19 when Joe Skarz’s effort was deflected to him but he missed his kick and Chambers cleared.

But Town were still presenting the greater threat and in the 23rd minute McGoldrick tricked his way to the edge of the area before being dispossessed by Skarz just as he looked set to score his second stunner of the afternoon.

A minute later, Millers’ defender Kari Arnason was booked by replacement referee Kieth Hill for blocking Anderson as he broke on halfway. On 27 Revell nodded a Ben Pringle cross into Gerken’s arms.

Chambers charged down a Hall shot from the edge of the box in the 32nd minute with the ex-Southend man claiming - somewhat hopefully - for handball. The Blues, who up to then had been stroking the ball around confidently but without threatening to add to their lead, made heavy weather of clearing the danger and Pringle was allowed to shoot wide.

Millers’ skipper Lee Frecklington was booked for a foul on Anderson in the 33rd minute before the visitors created their best opening of the half.

Pringle sent in a cross from the left and an unmarked Jordan Bowery powered a header straight at Gerken from seven yards. The Blues keeper couldn’t hold on to the ball but Tyrone Mings was on hand to clear the danger.

Town weren’t far from making it 3-0 in the 37th minute when Anderson floated a cross to Berra, the Scotland international’s header sending Loach scampering down to his right to scramble the ball past the post. Loach was forced to save again a minute later when Chambers headed goalwards from Anderson’s right-sided corner.

As half-time approached Town twice went close to adding to their lead. First Arnason got in just ahead of McGoldrick to nod Mings’s cross wide at the far post, then, after Bru had returned the cleared corner to him on the right, Anderson skipped past two defenders and into the box but screwed his shot well wide.

In injury time Parr headed over from an Anderson cross from the left, moments before referee Hill blew his whistle to end the half.

Town might well have been more than two goals ahead at the break and that wouldn’t have been an unfair reflection of the half.

The Blues had oozed confidence going forward with McGoldrick showing just why Leicester were so keen to take him into the Premier League before the transfer window closed, adding to his increasingly lengthy list of distance strikes, while Murphy netted a typical predator’s close range effort.

Rotherham’s one real chance was Hall’s header and the Blues had shown the occasional moment of defensive hesitancy. Overall though, McCarthy’s men had been well on top.

Within two minutes of the restart the Blues went within a whisker of scoring their third goal. Ex-Town loanee Richardson headed weakly back towards Loach, Sammon nipped in to intercept but turned his low shot against the foot of the post with the goal gaping. Loach pounced on the loose ball.

On 50 Rotherham’s other former Town loan player Paul Green headed Pringle’s cross from the left straight at Gerken.

The Millers went close to pulling a goal back in the 54th minute when a long throw from the right was cleared to the edge of the box from where skipper Frecklington volleyed goalwards. The Blues were a touch fortunate to see the ball strike Chambers’s heel and divert wide.

A minute later Anderson, who had revelled when given a rare outing in a more central role, was replaced by Jay Tabb. Soon after, Revell once again found Gerken’s hands with a header from a Pringle cross, before the Millers swapped Hall for Matt Derbyshire.

Arnason just got in ahead of Sammon as Murphy’s excellent low ball from the left came across in the 62nd minute, then McGoldrick scuffed wide when he had options either side of him.

The visitors continued to push and in the 66th minute Frecklington’s 30-yard strike deflected wide off Mings. From the corner, the ball was stabbed wide by Arnason with Revell unable to get a touch at the far post. Two minutes later Elliott Hewitt replaced Sammon as the Blues looked to tighten things up in the closing minutes.

On 69 Rotherham sub Derbyshire failed to make contact with Revell’s knockdown, the former Blackburn man claiming he had been fouled by Mings but referee Hill wasn’t interested.

Balint Bajner took over from McGoldrick for the final 14 minutes, the home fans warmly applauding off the scorer of Town’s second goal.

In the 82nd minute Gerken pulled off most significant save of the game. After Berra had been penalised for a foul on Revell, Green’s freekick deflected off the wall, wrong-footing the Town keeper, who did well to get across to save and then palm the loose ball away from Revell before Richardson lashed wildly over.

With two minutes of scheduled time remaining Bru and Bajner broke quickly to carve a chance out for Murphy, but the Irishman’s right-foot shot curled over. The Millers introduced on-loan Norwich striker Luciano Becchio for the final moments.

Town saw out four minutes of injury time comfortably to record four wins on the trot for the first time under McCarthy’s management.

The win, which moves Town up to fourth, was never in any real danger after the two early goals and the Blues played within themselves after the break, happy to sit back having established their lead.

Town: Gerken, Parr, Mings, Berra, Chambers (c), Bru, Hyam, Anderson (Tabb 55), Murphy, McGoldrick (Bajner 76), Sammon (Hewitt 68). Unused: Bialkowski, Smith, Henshall, Bishop.

Rotherham: Loach, Skarz (Becchio 89), Arnason, Broadfoot, Hall (Derbyshire 60), Frecklington (c). Revell, Bowery (Clarke-Harris 76), Green, Richardson, Pringle. Unused: Collin, Brindley, Swift, Rowe. Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire). Att: 16,447 (Rotherham: 495).

Photo: Action Images

dirtydingusmagee added 20:36 - Sep 27 we all expected this to be a home win ,what counts is that it WAS a home win ,Well done boys,COYB
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TimmyH added 20:38 - Sep 27 Don't think I've ever criticized you irishtim personally? - always give praise if earned and certainly can't deny winning 4 on the bounce was unforeseeable a month ago. So praise indeed, wasn't at the game today but going by the reports not Monday's performance, but when you think about it we're playing 4 games in 12 days so might have been a case of protecting what we had after the fast start.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 20:51 - Sep 27 if JW rocks up and Stewart finally gets match sharp we could scare a few teams this year
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StowTractorBoy added 21:41 - Sep 27 We won 2-0 got three points and are 4th. Not many would have believed that a few weeks ago. I personally thought it was an excellent win today and would much rather go two up early on than have strive for a winner late on. I personally thought Rotherham were a decent side and will be a problem for a lot of teams this season - hopefully against the upcoming Norwich City. Loach did not disappoint today as thought he was poor while Gerken gets better and what a save from the deflected free kick. Mick is doing wonders shuffling his pack around and sometimes I think we all expect too much. I know while I was at the game I did, but a 2-0 home win is always good and long may it continue. We now have some real tests coming up and if we are still in the top six after the next 4 games then I think there is real hope for us.

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PJH added 21:46 - Sep 27 I think police should be informed of the theft of a number of keyboards or laptops.MM haters are very quiet.Another good 3 points,I thought Anderson was outstanding and Murphy and McGoldrick a great combination.
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Ipswicharegoingup17 added 22:13 - Sep 27 Great to get another 3 points. Anyone who moans about this win most likely has a pet Canary at home.
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MickMillsTash added 22:16 - Sep 27 we are looking good- the next week will tell us more about our chances though To date we have played 6 in the bottom half and 3 in the top half (no wins)
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KiwiTractor added 22:53 - Sep 27 Thought this game might be a bit of a banana skin, so stoked that the lads have put together 4 wins on the trot. Can't even think when that last happened. Well done to all involved.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:34 - Sep 28 Although I would have liked us to dominate the 2nd half as we did the first, I still think we played well after the break. Rotherham were obviously going to come at us because they had no other option, and while the statistics record they had a large number shots, the majority just bounced off our defensive wall. Very pleased with the new positive approach, but we musn't forget how to defend. Clearly, we haven't. COYB.

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bring_back_Wickham added 07:59 - Sep 28 Mick mills tash- they're only in the bottom half because they played us!
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Elizabeth added 08:10 - Sep 28 Yes, I agree PJH , seems that some people are only happy to criticise the team and not give them praise when they are winning. Shame.
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hogster1970 added 08:59 - Sep 28 wow 4 wins on the bounce unbeaten in 5, and sitting 4th in the table, was a great result a great win, like many i thought 2 goals in the first 6 minutes we would batterer them into the ground, but we didnt, we took the foot of the gas and invited them on to us, i thought murph didsy and anderson was great today also hyam, what a good assist he done for the diddsy goal and what a strike, i was unsure on bru, i think teddy would have been better how ever we won thats the main thing. its also refreshing to see the starting 11, even though it may not be your first choice 11 out there but when you look at the bench and think to yourself, blimy for once we have players on the banch who can come on and make a difference wether thats giving you extra spark to get back into a game or solid players who can help shut up shop. we havnt had that for ages. think mick is slowly getting a good squad together. but on reflection after the match were is was disapointed we didnt hammer them, we won with out breaking sweat and we have wednesday on tuesday so the batteries should be pretty full, they was no point running ourselfs into the ground like we had to at wigan then be knackered for tuesday then the might forrest next sunday, so for me 2 points in the next 2 games will do me as that means undefeated in 7 which will send out a few shock waves as we would have played so big teams in that time

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BlueandTruesince82 added 09:28 - Sep 28 We have had false dawns before, we do need to keep perspective and we need to keep this up for another 40 odd games which is a tough ask but equally Milwall are now run by Ollie, a man who many wanted here to replace PJ and who knows how to build a good team on little money (and one inherited from Kenny Jackett -mostly, lomas brief tenure aside- who I also rate. Brighton and Wigan will both expect to make top 6, Wigan even top 2 and Rotherham had real monentum having come up so whilst there is a long road ahead will many (all remaining 39) tough games ahead and whilst it would be a big achievement given how strong the league is this year, we have proven we can take the better teams down on our day, we do have a squad that looks v capable and we now look stronger than at anytime in the last 10 years, like MM or not we are 4th, you cant argue with that. I think we could make life difficult or Weds, I'd take 2 points from next 2 but really believe we could get 4 if we keep this up

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blueboy1981 added 09:43 - Sep 28 Four wins on the bounce is no mean feat in any League - everyone has to be well pleased with that, and I'm pleased to say things are well and truly looking up right now. Early days as yet, but if Williams is added to the squad at some point soon, we certainly are looking capable of achieving this season. Well done all - lets keep this rolling along. Much credit where it's due.

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TimmyH added 09:48 - Sep 28 Anybody notice how the last 4 clubs we have beaten - Millwall, Brighton, Wigan and Rotherham are all in that order in the bottom half of the table! - 16th 17th 18th and 19th. Shows none of them are in form but you can't take anything away from us, 4 wins on the bounce are not to be sniffed at in this league.
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Jimmy86 added 10:02 - Sep 28 Another great win and 4 wins on the bounce, a first under Mick, which is fantastic and we are really flying at the moment. Great start, being 2 up after 6 mins and as much as we loved scott loach we really exposed his weaknesses for the first goal and the 2nd was a worldie from didz. The first half was brilliant and possibly some of the most entertaining football we've seen under Mick. The stand out for me was when Murphy did a fancy flick to play in an attacker, south stand end, shows real confidence and Murph is flying. Sammon should have made it 3 and really wrapped the game up. Bit of a shame we sat back in the 2nd half, but at least it wasn't a 1 goal lead like last season, perhaps we have learnt our lesson. We are really carrying some momentum, onwards and upwards COYB

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are_these_the_days added 10:03 - Sep 28 Timmy H Very good point
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mannos6 added 10:14 - Sep 28 Loving the M&M partnership they bring out the best of one another.. Never thought we would have another M&M after Marshall & Mathie
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warktheline added 10:48 - Sep 28 TimmyH, if you flip your point, as I often do, proves we are no longer relegation candidates.😄
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warktheline added 10:56 - Sep 28 Top of the morning to you Blueboy. Always look forward to your view point, not that we agree on much!
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TimmyH added 10:56 - Sep 28 very true @warktheline - rather us be beating teams sat in the top half of the table but that is me clutching at straws, anyway Mick's achilles heel tended to be the teams struggling nearer to the bottom. Onwards and upwards.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 10:58 - Sep 28 Most plusses ever for BB of the back of that comment? Nice to see you so chipper mate
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PJH added 11:28 - Sep 28 TimmyH Millwall were actually 5th going in to their game at Portman Road so their position now not really relevant.
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blueboy1981 added 12:18 - Sep 28 BlueandTruesince82 ............... just being honest as usual - doesn't always suit some though unfortunately.
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blueboy1981 added 12:27 - Sep 28 ....... Rotherham looked a decent side - and to be fair were without two of their 'star' players, as of course we all recognise - and hopefully accept !
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