Stanley boss John Coleman admitted he was as surprised as anyone by Dean Winnard’s mazy run.

The left back raced into the opposition area, cut inside, took out a couple of defenders and played in a perfect cross for Jimmy Ryan to fire home the winner 11 minutes from time on Tuesday night and re-ignite the Reds promotion charge.

"I have no idea where Dean learnt that but it was special," said the Reds chief.

But something special was what was needed as Stanley stopped the Millers getting into the automatic promotion places and their boss Ronnie Moore was fuming that Winnard was allowed to spin his magic.

"We know he is not left footed yet we let him cut inside and get a cross in. We should have come away with something," Moore said.

But Stanley fans would disagree as the Reds should have been out of sight by half-time.

Chances galore came and went with two goal-line clearances from the Rotherham defence.

Keeper Andy Warrington had to be at his best, although some off-target shooting prevented a healthier half-time scoreline.

Stanley only made one count with Ryan the architect, racing down the right wing and playing in the perfect cross for Michael Symes to get ahead of his marker and fire home his 16th goal of the season.

Coleman knew that the Reds may pay for their inability to take their chances and expected Rotherham – who have one of the best away records in League Two – to come out fighting.

And they did just that ,although their equaliser was a wonder goal.

On-loan Middlesbrough man Josh Walker was allowed to run half the

length of the pitch before unleashing a 25-yard strike into the top of Dean Bouzanis’ net.

The Liverpool loan keeper was in for the suspended Ian Dunbavin and then it was the Stanley stopper who had to be on top form, superbly denying Kevin Ellison from point-blank range to prevent the Millers taking a 2-1 lead.

The game could then have gone either way with Luke Joyce clean through twice but unable to take a chance while Adam Le Fondre – who used to score everytime he played Stanley for former club Rochdale – also hitting the post and the Millers had a goal ruled out for off-side.

Then came Winnard’s showpiece with Ryan sliding home his fourth goal of the season and Coleman admitted it was the right response from his side after a shaky February.

"I think we deserved the win for our first-half show alone," said Coleman. "We were like a boxer who is on top and doesn’t want the bell to go but then they have come out fighting in the second half and scored a great equaliser.

"But we pushed a good team back and kept fighting and showed great enthusiasm and willingingness to work and I can’t praise the lads highly enough.

"In the past, when they equalised, we would have buckled and lost but it is a sign of a good side that we have stood up and been counted. We played some fantastic football and the inter-play and passing was a joy to behold on a tricky pitch.

"Michael has taken his goal well – we told him to get across people in the box – and hopefully this will give him confidence to go on and get more this season.

"Then Jimmy hasn’t snatched at his chance but taken it onto his stronger footand and had the nous to slide in and bury it. Saying that, Dean’s save at 1-1 was just as important as Jimmy’s goal so everyone has played their part.

"I think we won the game because we closed Rotherham down, we kept the pressure on.

"The only time we didn’t was when their lad went through and scored and the lads are disappointed with that."

But not with a vital three points which keeps the Reds in the hunt.