Evans Hails "Biggest Achievement"

Steve Evans described delivering Sky Bet Championship survival to Rotherham as the "biggest achievement'' of his career. The Millers ensured their place in the second tier next season, despite a three-point deduction from the Football League, after goals from Matt Derbyshire and Lee Frecklington were enough to see off Reading and condemn Wigan and Millwall to League One. Evans' managerial CV is decorated with promotions, including back-to-back ones in his first two years with the South Yorkshire club, but winning the fight at the other end of the table is proving an enjoyable experience for the Scot. And the feeling was even sweeter in the wake of the punishment for fielding an ineligible player. He said: "When you get points taken away from you it's a bombshell but we had to show resolve, and character and we have done that. "We have got over the line and they can take our points but they will never take our fighting spirit and passion to stay in the division. "I have won a lot of promotions and been at Wembley and won the play-offs, I think individually, this was the biggest result. "In terms of being relieved, we thought we were over the line after Brighton. This for me was bigger than Wembley. "Winning and keeping them up is the biggest achievement for me. "This was always going to be the hardest task, now the ambition is to build on that. "I am very proud of the football club. We have not got everything right, we have had to work tooth and nail to say in this competition, because there are some wonderful clubs.'' A rampant two-goal salvo in six minutes at the start of the second period answered their fans' prayers as Derbyshire and Frecklington both prodded in from close range. Reading ensured it was a nervy ending as Oliver Norwood's late shot from distance got them back in it, but now nine games without a win, boss Steve Clarke is ready for a summer overhaul. "It was a game neither side had control of until we made a mistake in giving the first goal away and then compounded it by conceding another,'' he said. "We had a go to get back in but couldn't get a second goal. "I expect to be higher and I am very confident we will be higher. We have good ability in the squad, our season has fizzled out for some reason I can't quite put my finger on. "I promise the supporters next season will be better than this. I have got a big job on and I have already told my wife not to expect to many days on the beach.''