For the important clash against promotion chasing Darlington at their superb stadium, Rotherham United brought Marc Newsham back into the starting line up in place of Ryan Taylor who dropped to the bench.

In the first minute a Mark Joseph cross was blocked before the first great chance of the game fell to the home side in the fourth minute. Blundell broke clear and it needed a brilliant one on one save by Andy Warrington to prevent a goal.

The Millers replied with Derek Holmes having an effort blocked after Ian Ross headed on a Steve Brogan cross before two home corners were cleared. A Brogan free kick led to a corner that brought no reward and at the other end Warrington made a good catch from a Purdie cross.

After Holmes had headed just wide from a Ross cross, Darlington had another breakaway but once again Warrington was at his best to deny Keltie.

A home corner came to nothing before the Millers gradually started to take command with the ever impressive Ross finding Danny Harrison whose shot was saved.

Then O'Grady did very well to win the ball but his low cross was cut out before he headed wide as he got on the end of a Ross cross.

Just past the 35 minute mark United took the lead when a Holmes shot was blocked but the ball fell to O'Grady who netted with a good shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area.

O'Grady went close with another effort and in first half added time O'Grady had a shot blocked and the backing up Harrison saw his shot turned away for a corner.

At the start of the second half O'Grady had an early shot saved as the Millers continued to dominate the proceedings and a Ross 25 yards free kick went over the bar.

On 57 minutes the Millers went close to increasing their lead when Ross found Holmes who crossed to find O'Grady and he headed only just wide.

Ross then had a header saved before the home team at last launched an attack on 67 minutes with a free kick that sailed out for a goal kick beyond the far post.

A minute later it was all square when a cross came in from the right and after a scramble Cummins fired home from close range.

The Millers responded superbly and when a Brogan shot was blocked, Holmes saw his shot turned round the post for a corner from which Graham Coughlan had a header blocked on the line.

A Millers corner brought no reward and as the game went into the last ten minutes of normal time the home side at last started to apply the pressure. From the second of two corners in quick succession, Foster headed over the bar and then two more shots were blocked by the packed United defence.

On 87 minutes the home team almost grabbed a winner but Abbott's close range shot hit the bar and that was the last clear cut chance for either side as the honours were shared.

Darlington: Stockdale, White, Foster, Cummins, Keltie, Purdie, Joachim, Blundell, Wright (Abbott 64), Foran (Ravenhill 88), Ridley (Austin 54). Subs: Oakes, Miller.

Rotherham: Warrington, Joseph (Tonge 81), Sharps, Coughlan, Brogan, Ross, Mills, Harrison, O'Grady, D. Holmes (Taylor 90), Newsham. Subs: Oxley, Hudson, Todd.

Referee: John Moss (West Yorks).

Attendance: 6,965.