YORK City boss Gary Mills has thanked fans for their “outstanding” support at Oxford over the weekend and is hoping for the same backing at Yorkshire neighbours Rotherham tonight.

Mills reiterated what a positive impact City’s travelling army can have on the players ahead of the New York Stadium clash.

More than 300 fans made the trip to the Kassam Stadium and the City boss can expect a larger contingent this evening.

“The fans at Oxford were outstanding from start to finish,” Mills enthused. “I know how much the Barnet game will have hurt them but their support never stopped and that deserves a massive mention.

“The supporters might not even realise it but the difference it makes to the players is immense and it makes you proud to be manager of the football club.”

Mills is also looking forward to two matches against derby rivals with a home match against Capital One Cup finalists Bradford on Saturday.

He added: “These games are another chance for us to show, as a club and a team, what we are about. Although we are going through a period of not winning games, we’ve got to stay strong and not become shrinking violets and back down to anybody.

“We showed that on Saturday after hurting following our defeat to Barnet and we must do it again during two Yorkshire derbies.”