'It looked like we had just lost 7-0' - Rotherham United boss Paul Warne on players' reaction after being pegged back by Stoke City

The Millers treated Warne to a thrilling encounter on his 200th game in charge of the club as they took a point against the promotion hopefuls.

But, having come from a goal down early on, they twice squandered a lead to be denied first back-to-back wins at Championship level since 2016.

Warne admitted: “The dressing room is really down and I just told them how amazing I thought they were.

“They are really down and think they have let two points slip.

“There are no complaints from me, I ask the lads to leave everything out on the pitch and they did.

“Their bench was very strong, if you can bring a £10million winger on who used to play for Liverpool you are doing alright for yourselves.

“Stoke have assembled the best squad in the league, with strength in depth and the longer it went on they kept on freshening it up.

“Hence why I told the lads when they looked down in the dumps that I was really proud of them.

“I thoroughly enjoyed watching them run around, they couldn't have given any more, if you went in our changing room it looked like we had just lost 7-0. They more than competed. “We created enough chances, I asked them to play like heroes and go out there with their capes under their shirts and they did.

“To win football games at this level you have to come off the pitch exhausted, you have to leave everything out there and we did.

“If I was a Rotherham United fan I would be really proud of what we did.”

Stoke went ahead through Angus MacDonald's early own goal before Matt Crooks and Michael Smith scored either side of half-time to give the Millers the advantage.

After Danny Batth had levelled, Crooks' second of the evening again put Rotherham in front, but Nick Powell earned Stoke a point with a late header.

Despite the topsy-turvy nature of the game, Warne enjoyed his landmark match.

“There have been some exciting ones, I thoroughly enjoyed it, I don't normally say that, you know I am a nervous kitten,” he said.

“I don't want to harp on about it but it is just sad the fans aren't in, both set of fans would have really enjoyed it.

“Both teams weren't settling for a draw, both wanted to win and the game had everything.”

MORE FROM THE STAR ON ROTHERHAM UNITED

Rotherham United boss Paul Warne provides update on injured trio ahead of Stoke City clash

Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our sports-only package. You'll find all the details at https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions/sports.

Your support is much appreciated.