THERE were plenty of talking points beforehand, much of it about points.

Will Rotherham be docked 10 one day? Will Chesterfield be THE ones who will ultimately benefit?

They began only a point behind. Could they go two points in front on their favourite away ground? Then again, could the Millers stretch their lead to four?

As Rotherham were concerned, first and foremost it was all about pride. Personal and then local.

The eventually gutless capitulation at Bury was embarrassing; the criticism both scathing and stinging.

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Players arrived here knowing they would be under severe scrutiny from fans looking for any sign of weakness. 10 points off or 10 points on didn't matter. Giving it the lot against local rivals was what did.

No room here for being half-hearted, for not showing desire, for not going the extra yard where a few days earlier they'd barely managed an extra inch.

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Perhaps Spireites boss Lee Richardson suspected there might be some sort of reaction from the Millers, particularly with a local derby to focus the minds. Players seeking redemption often do that.

In that respect, the Spireites were unlucky enough to get this particular backlash from their neighbours.

On a much smaller scale, Chesterfield had to pull themselves round from their own first half fade-out that had followed a bright start.

Rotherham took what was to prove a winning grip in that final half-hour of the first half and held on despite Chesterfield's second-half push to get back in it.

For Rotherham watchers it was immediately evident that here was a different attitude, an extra determination.

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