Matt Hamshaw ‘dead proud’ as Rotherham end their long wait for a win at Barnsley

Rotherham manager Matt Hamshaw admits he was emotional after his side became the first Millers team to win at Oakwell in 55 years.

The 1,982 travelling fans were delighted in the 64th minute when Kian Spence’s 20-yard strike beat Murphy Cooper in the Barnsley goal to decide the Sky Bet League One contest.

The hosts had been the better side until that point but the Millers were fantastic defensively and probably deserved the 1-0 success.

Hamshaw said afterwards: “I got a bit emotional after – I know what it means.

“I banged on about this record all week to them. I’m really pleased with the performance, really pleased with the result.

“I’m just dead proud. I actually told all my family and my dad not to bother coming today.

“I’m just delighted to keep this run going.”

Hamshaw was also full of praise for the ‘grit and determination’ his side showed at Oakwell and hopes to use it as springboard for the rest of the season.

He continued: “Good teams don’t just stand still and I think that’s important.

“We need to make sure we consistently keep performing, keep working as hard as we can, keep showing the things we’re showing, keep working on things in training.

“We’re probably not the finished article yet but we keep developing and learning.

“The lads are starting to get the messages now and we’re starting to get more of a clean bill of health, which is important.”

The loss means Barnsley now have not won in League One since the 3-2 success against Reading on September 18.

Head coach Conor Hourihane said it was a frustrating result but didn’t think his side could have done much more.

He explained: “I’m really frustrated, the lads are really frustrated.

“I thought we started the game really, really well.

“I think they’ve had one shot and ended up scoring a goal and we’re sat here after getting beaten 1-0.

“I don’t think the lads can give me much more today. I’ll always say to the lads and be really honest with them if I feel they can give me more. But today I really feel for them because they’ve given me everything.”

Boos rang around the ground at full-time and Hourihane understands why but urged fans to keep with the team.

He added: “Ultimately we need to start winning games of football.

“We’re going to go through ups and downs. We started the season off really, really well. But right now it’s just not falling for us.”