Town manager Joe Royle was angry with referee Brian Curson, his players and the Millmoor pitch after his side's play-off chances were all but killed off by Rotherham's 2-1 victory.

It was the second time the Millers have beaten Town this season, on both occasions coming from behind to win 2-1. Royle says he is unsure quite how his side lost either game: "They've beaten us twice this season and I still do not know how.

"We should have had a penalty in the first half, the only man in the ground who did not see it was the referee.

"I do not want it to sound like sour grapes but the pitch was so bad it could not have been an accident. For a Nationwide Division One pitch it was extremely poor."

Royle was also cross with his players for sitting back on the 1-0 lead: "One or two were coasting. It started at the front and spread through the team. We stepped it up again when we went behind but by then it was too little too late."

Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore was unimpressed at Royle's claims regarding the Millmoor pitch: "I am disappointed as I believe Joe Royle has blamed the pitch but I didn't hear any complaints at half-time when we couldn't get a kick and Ipswich were passing the ball about. It's swings and roundabouts, they are the best footballing side we have met but they are unfortunate that they didn't have a good start to the season.

"There are different ways to win games and when we won down there we were battered but we defended well, while today we were lucky to go into half-time only one down. I said let's show a bit more commitment and desire, if we did that we would have a chance.

"I thought Ipswich had dealt very well with the long throw in the first half but in the second we got someone on the keeper and won with two long throws. We haven't the same ability as Ipswich and that's no disrespect to our lads. We have to win anyway we can and in the second half we had enough desire to go and win.

"What changed the game was that we had nothing to lose so I went 3-4-3 and then we gave Ipswich one or two problems because we hit the lads up front nice and early. Their keeper made one or two great saves, especially from Mark Robins and then if we had done the right thing in one or two other occasions then Joe would have been going home wondering how they had lost 4-1.

"I know we were lucky at Ipswich but we can't afford to have a lovely pitch for them to stroke the ball about on. If they want a bowling green, they aren't going to get it. If they haven't enough battlers, that's life. We have to use every advantage we can."

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