GARY TAYLOR-FLETCHER was happy to grab the Town headlines but warned: "Don't call me a super sub!"

The 24-year-old snatched a late equaliser in yesterday's 1-1 draw at Rotherham to keep Peter Jackson's side in third place, just two points behind new leaders Brentford.

It was his first goal in almost three months - Town's first in three matches - and he hopes it could earn him a recall to the starting line-up for tomorrow's Galpharm clash against Port Vale (7.45).

"It was great to score right at the end, but I can feel a `super sub' reputation coming on and that's not something I want," said Fletch before today's training session.

"I want to be starting matches if at all possible and making my contribution that way, but it's up to the gaffer who plays and who's on the bench.

"We were all just delighted to get something out of the game yesterday and, while everyone will say we've taken only three points from 12, that point at Millmoor could be a massive one for us this season.

"If we'd been beaten it would have been a big downer for tomorrow's match whereas, now, the lads are all keen to keep up that second half momentum against Port Vale."

Jackson may well hand Adnan Ahmed a first start of the season tomorrow, especially as midfield duo Chris Brandon and Mark Hudson were both cautioned yesterday and now have one-match bans coming up. Ahmed impressed after Deon Burton had fired Rotherham ahead.

"We dominated in the second half," added Fletch. "In the first 45 minutes, Rotherham seemed to be picking up all the loose balls and we had to get a grip. That's what we did in the second half and we deserved a point.

"Now, if we can add three points at home it will be just what we need."

Last gasp hero Gary Taylor-Fletcher pounced for the sort of pick-me-up designed to cure the worst of Christmas hangovers.

Almost two minutes of stoppage time had been played with Town looking set for a festive headache when Fletch saved the day.

His close-range strike, after a shot from fellow super sub Adnan Ahmed had been parried by keeper Neil Cutler, brought massive relief to manager Peter Jackson and 3,000 travelling fans and kept Town just two points off the League I lead.

They will have to play much better over the 90 minutes to be sure of beating Port Vale at home tomorrow, however, because the first 45 minutes at Millmoor were arguably Town's worst of the campaign.

Rotherham, buoyed by their victory at Bradford the previous week, were allowed to dominate in every department and Town were fortunate to trail at the break only to Deon Burton's crunching eighth-minute free-kick.

Jackson vented his spleen during half time, telling his team in no uncertain terms they had been second-best in every challenge, and he made the first of two crucial and well-judged changes.

Ahmed was sent on at the expense of Mark Hudson to try and pep up the midfield - and he did exactly that.

Desperate to prove a point after recovering from a season-long knee problem, Ahmed was the ideal man to shake up the confident hosts and, with a mixture of sensible passing and blood-chilling tackles, he changed the flow of the game.

Suddenly Town had possession and territorial advantage and the travelling fans - so patient through the trials of a woeful first-half display - finally had some encouragement.

Clear-cut chances were still few and far between, however, and with Danny Schofield the only player going close for Town - twice firing wide - Jackson sent on Taylor-Fletcher for the final 18 minutes to replace the out-of-sorts Pawel Abbott.

It proved a master stroke.

With his first touch, Fletch won a header and then mopped up the bits before a Rotherham defender could react.

It was the sort of urgency which eluded Abbott, Andy Booth and Chris Brandon, despite their best efforts to drag Town into the game, while the supply from Danny Adams and Andy Holdsworth was almost always met by the bandaged head of Northern Ireland international Colin Murdock, who was magnificent at the back for the Millers.

Alan Knill's men responded so well to Murdock's lead, in fact, that it looked like they would hold out for a first home win since September 10.

Their nervousness was never better illustrated, though, than when they tried to run down the clock from a corner. With seconds remaining it might have been a good idea, but not with over four minutes to play and four minutes of stoppage time to add!

Town took advantage and, roaring forward like they'd done for most of the second half, they got their reward.

It looked like Adams would be under pressure as Town worked the ball along the back line with fans howling for them to get it forward quickly.

He was hurried as he played a pass down the left touchline to Schofield, who then did well to dummy his marker and break free towards the box.

The initial cross was just a fraction high for the onrushing Taylor-Fletcher, but Brandon latched onto the loose ball quickly and, when he rolled it back, skipper Jon Worthington stepped over it superbly to leave a shooting chance for Ahmed.

Just outside the box, he fired in a powerful, skimming drive which Cutler couldn't hold and Taylor-Fletcher was on hand to poke in the rebound. All hell was let loose!

Fletch set off down the pitch with his arm twirling in Mick Channon style and, when he finally threw himself on the ground, he was swamped by a pile of delighted teammates.

It summed up the relief in the Town camp and underlined how much effort had gone in to putting that dreadful first half show behind them

Every ounce of character was needed, in fact, to earn the draw, plus Ahmed's extra drive.

Jackson:I WAS very disappointed with my players at half-time and they got a real rollicking.

I know Rotherham played the best they've done all season but we weren't on our game and I felt I had to change things.

They were running off us too much in midfield - I was disappointed with the two central midfielders in the first half - and that's why I sent on Adnan Ahmed. He did really well and then Fletch went on at the end and scored a vital equaliser for us. Truly vital.

Come the end of the season, that could be a really crucial result for us and, having picked up a point away from home, it's now essential we win at home.

It's a massive game for us against Port Vale and we know we can't afford another slow start.

While I was unhappy with the first half, I was pleased the lads took control in the second and, in the end, I thought we thoroughly deserved to take a point.

Town were aggrieved not to get a first-half penalty when Andy Booth looked to be tripped - the free kick was awarded outside the box - but Lancashire official Neil Swarbrick had a good game. He was on the spot for most of the key decisions, although Nathan Clarke was unlucky to be cautioned for a good-looking tackle

KEEPER Paul Rachubka produced the key moment of the match in the second minute of time added on in the first half. Somehow, Deon Burton was totally unmarked at a free-kick and seemed certain to put Rotherham 2-0 up at the back post, but Rachubka sprang superbly to block the shot and effectively keep Town in the game.

adnan ahmed

Town's vibrant sub changed the face of the game with his tenacious midfield play, helping put Rotherham on the back foot after a poor first-half show had left Town struggling

Town united: Paul Rachubka Beaten by a venomous Burton shot, he made a tremendous close-range block from the same player to keep Town in it Rating: 6/10

Andy Holdsworth One excellent piece of covering prevented Butler breaking clean through on goal. Worked hard but not at his very best Rating: 4/10

Danny Adams Started the move which led to Town's equaliser but found it hard going in the first half along with many of his mates Rating: 4/10

David Mirfin Not one of his best performances as Burton and Butler were all over Town in the early stages. Battled back Rating: 4/10

Nathan Clarke Some superb work in the first half when Town were under the cosh. Unlucky not to score with a great header Rating: 6/10

Danny Schofield Looked like it was not going to be his day until he supplied the cross from which Fletch eventually netted Rating: 5/10

Jon Worthington Put in a couple of very tough tackles to excite the Rotherham public. Great step-over for the equaliser. Grafted Rating: 4/10

Mark Hudson Didn't look the same player who so dominated down at Yeovil. Taken off at half time to allow Ahmed a chance Rating: 4/10

Chris Brandon His best running often attracted the offside flag and his frustration earned a booking which means a one-game ban Rating: 5/10

Andy Booth Had a gruelling battle with Colin Murdock, who inspired the home side. Unlucky not to earn a penalty first half Rating: 5/10

Pawel Abbott Set up a super chance for Schofield in the second half but didn't have a sniff of an opening himself Rating: 4/10

Rotherham united:

Cutler; Worrell, Murdock, Gilchrist, Robertson; Mullin, McLaren, Williamson, Keane (Hurst 79); Butler, Burton (Hoskins 72).

Subs not used: Montgomery, Otsemobor, Barker.