JASON Tindall recalled League Two battles with Rotherham United more than a decade ago, admitting: "They were always a tough side to play against."

Tomorrow will be just the fourth time in more than a decade Cherries have come up against the Millers, when they head to New York Stadium (3pm).

During the 2008-09 campaign, both clubs began the season on minus 17 points in League Two.

Both survived and challenged for promotion the following term, with Eddie Howe and Tindall guiding Cherries to promotion, while Rotherham lost 3-2 to Dagenham & Redbridge in the play-off final at Wembley.

"We always had good battles with Rotherham," Tindall told the Daily Echo.

"Obviously a lot has happened since then for us as a football club and for them obviously now with a new stadium and the promotions that they’ve had.

"It’s a tough game. It always was back then, Mark Robins was the manager (for a spell) in those days and they were always a tough side to play against. Watching Rotherham even this season, they’re a real tough side to play against.

"They work extremely hard for each other, they press very well, they’re quite a direct side.

"It’s going to be another tough Championship game that’s going to present us with different problems. We’ve just got to make sure that we’re aware of that and we go into that fully prepared to go and deliver another good performance."

Current Millers boss Paul Warne was an unused substitute for that play-off final loss to the Daggers and made more than 250 appearances for the club before retiring and taking up a coaching role in 2012.

Tomorrow's clash against Cherries will be four years to the day since Warne took charge of Rotherham, initially on a caretaker basis following the departure of Kenny Jackett.

"He’s a good lad, Warney and I’m pleased to see him do so well," said Tindall.

"The journey he had as a player, he was always very hard-working and he’s taken that into his management style.

"You watch his teams play, they’re fully committed, they work extremely hard and one thing’s for sure, they’re certainly playing for him and doing well for him, so really pleased for him."