Mark Robins made the most of his first league start of the campaign as he set Rotherham on their way to a sixth away victory of the season.

Robins struck after 55 minutes with his fourth goal of the season to put Ronnie Moore's side in front and Richie Barker made sure of the points with a late second.

Preston rarely threatened throughout as they slumped to their fourth loss of the campaign at Deepdale.

The visitors, who had won their last two away games at Ipswich and Burnley scoring eight goals in the process, started brightly with Andy Monkhouse firing a shot over the crossbar after five minutes.

John Mullin had a right foot shot from the edge of the area blocked by Rob Edwards shortly after while at the other end, Eddie Lewis' left-foot effort failed to test Michael Pollitt.

Moore was without striking duo Alan Lee and Darren Byfield, enabling Robins to start alongside Barker.

Chris Sedgwick returned after suspension while Marvin Bryan replaced the injured Rob Scott (shoulder).

Preston had Edwards, Eric Skora and Paul McKenna back but Colin Murdock was unavailable with a foot injury sustained in the 1-0 loss at Sheffield United.

Rotherham continued to look the more lively in attack and Mullin had another shot blocked before Monkhouse was booked just before the half-hour for dissent.

Preston striker Richard Cresswell, who has scored 11 goals so far this season, had his first sight of goal after 32 minutes but his shot was well blocked by Martin McIntosh.

Play then switched to the other end and Barker went close with a header following Sedgwick's inviting cross.

Former Manchester United striker Robins had a left-foot shot blocked by Chris Lucketti before Craig Brown was forced into a change with the injured Edwards replaced by Tyrone Mears just before the break.

Rotherham, who had scored the most away goals in Division One this season with 27 at the start of play, almost went ahead after 51 minutes when Robins headed the ball just over the crossbar following Nicholas Daws' cross.

But the 33-year-old made no mistake four minutes later when he converted Monkhouse's left-wing cross with ease.

Myers and Skora both attempted to level matters but failed to seriously test Pollitt while David Lucas was called upon to make a smart save to deny Barker from extending the visitors' lead.

The striker then headed Sedgwick's cross over the top as the Millers continued to show their attacking intent and Skora was substituted for Preston with 20 minutes remaining as Iain Anderson took his place.

Defender Marlon Broomes failed to find the target with a header following Graham Alexander's free-kick as the hosts sought an equaliser before Dickson Etuhu's 25-yard shot flew wide.

David Healy had a shot tipped over by Pollitt with 15 minutes remaining before the keeper made a comfortable save to keep out Anderson's effort.

Myers and Cresswell both went close as Preston finally mustered a sustained period of pressure but their hopes were finally ended with six minutes left when Barker's attempted overhead kick somehow found its way past Lucas.

Teams:

Preston Lucas, Alexander, Lucketti, Broomes, Edwards (Mears 36), Skora (Anderson 70), Etuhu, McKenna, Lewis (Abbott 78), Healy, Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Rankine.

Rotherham Pollitt, Bryan, Swailes, McIntosh, Hurst, Sedgwick (Warne 72), Daws, Mullin, Monkhouse (Garner 83), Richard Barker, Robins.

Subs Not Used: Gray, Branston, Talbot.

Booked: Monkhouse.

Goals: Robins 56, Richard Barker 85.

Att: 15,452

Ref: M Pike (Cumbria).