Worthing boss Sammy Donnelly refused to get carried away despite seeing his side topple second division Rotherham 2-1.

The Rebels are being tipped for promotion from Ryman division one this year and this victory over a full-strength Millers side will only enhance that view.

Goals in each half by Damian Webber and Ben Carrington, sandwiching a 61st minute reply by Kevin Watson, had Donnelly nodding in approval on the touchline.

But the manager insisted later: "At this stage of the season it is not about results, I am more pleased that Rotherham brought a team down here and it was a good workout for both sides.

"Teams like these meet in the FA Cup, which is how this came about, so it is a good exercise for both sides.

"We are trying to play a little more this year, so from time to time we will give the ball away. But we are looking at our fitness levels now, that is the most important thing, and competing, and I thought we did quite well."

Rotherham travelled south from Yorkshire as a result of a friendship built up when Worthing visited Millmoor in the first round of the FA Cup last season.

Worthing acquitted themselves well then, despite losing 3-0. Donnelly's men did so again in brilliant sunshine at Woodside Road on Saturday and this time they even got the result the fans wanted.

A low-key opening was brought to life on 21 minutes when Rotherham keeper Ian Gray tipped Paul Kennett's header onto the underside of the crossbar and then managed to scramble the ball away as Kennett followed up.

The Millers responded with former Manchester United striker Mark Robins having a shot headed off the line by Spencer Mintram.

Approach Although Rotherham's approach play was tidy, they found it difficult to break down Worthing's defence. At the other end, the lively Carrington was causing problems and he lifted a shot onto the roof of the net on 34 minutes after being played in by Gary Green.

Two minutes later Worthing were in front as Miles Rutherford sent over a corner from the left and Webber nonchalantly headed the ball home.

A half-time rendition on the tannoy of 'We Are The Champions' may have been overplaying the moment, but Worthing were enjoying themselves and rightly so.

A fragmented second half, not helped by a flurry of substitutions from both sides, saw Rotherham draw level on 61 minutes when Paul Warne's neat pass found former Tottenham player Kevin Watson running into the area and he danced round keeper Richard Waters before stroking the ball into an empty net.

However, Worthing had one more ace up their sleeve and a long punt from Waters 12 minutes from time caught defender Rob Scott napping. Keeper Paul Pettinger came out of his area and completely missed the ball, leaving Carrington to run it into an empty net.

Waters, the former Burgess Hill goalkeeper, looked useful in goal and Justin Harris impressed as one of five half time substitutes.

The only disappointment was a crowd of 415, which was considerably less than the 1,500 forecast.

Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore said: "It is an embarrassing result for us. It wouldn't be too bad if I had sent my reserves down and got beat, but when you bring the whole 20 players down and you still lose the game, that is a little embarrassing."

Worthing: Waters, Smith, Mintram, Green, Webber, Tuck, Kennett, Cox, Rice, G. Rutherford, Carrington. Subs used: Funnell, Harris, Ward, M. Rutherford, Burt, James.

Rotherham: Gray, Bryan, Scott, Branston, Varty, Talbot, Watson, Turner, Robins, Fortune-West, Warne. Subs used: Pettinger, Hurst, Garner, Berry, Monkhouse, Hudson, Wilsterman, Beech.