A FINE goal by Christian Atsu, his first for Newcastle United, was enough for three points at rock-bottom Rotherham today.

His goal four minutes before half-time was the difference, with the Magpies having to defend for periods against a spirited team who gave Rafael Benitez’s side a few scares.

Rotherham hit the post in each half, and had Newcastle under the cosh during a blistering start to a competitive match in which there were a few nervy moments.

Keeper Karl Darlow tipped over the bar a Joe Newell dipping volley, a fine save by the keeper, and then Rotherham forward Izzy Brown, on loan from Chelsea, has a shot deflected wide.

Rotherham’s Jon Taylor saw a rasping shot clip the crossbar after taking a nick off a Newcastle defender.

Newcastle weathered the storm however, and Millers’ manager Alan Stubbs later said: “One bit of quality between the two teams has been the difference.”

He was referring to Atsu’s goal, curling in from the corner of the penalty area after a lay-off by Jonjo Shelvey, a fine way for the attacker to mark his first league start for the club.

He had replaced the rotated Matt Ritchie, who was on the bench, while Vurnon Anita was recalled at right-back after serving a three-match suspension.

The opening stages of the second half were less frenetic, less competitive, with Newcastle controlling matters.

Yoan Gouffran had a shot deflected wide after nice touch by Atsu, and a low save by keeper Lee Camp kept out Atsu after he was played in by Mohamed Diame.

Spirited Rotherham, however, could not be discounted, they were sure to mount another charge in the final stages and they began to put Newcastle under more pressure.

Magpies centre-backs Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark were both solid throughout, but the Millers’ hit the post with five minutes to go, Dominic Ball beating Darlow but finding the woodwork, and then Clark cleared off the line.

It was an escape for under-pressure Newcastle, for whom Grant Hanley was then sent on to shore up the defence, replacing Diame.

Dark clouds began to gather and rain fell during five minutes of injury time, but the gloomy conditions were not reflected in away end at full-time where over 2,500 Newcastle fans celebrated another away win.

Going into the two-week international break they are now second, three points behind Hudddersfield.

Goals: Atsu (41, 0-1)

Bookings: Frecklington (37, foul), Ward (58, time wasting); Diame (81, foul)

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire)

Attendance: 11,653 (2,587)

Rotherham United (4-4-2): Camp; Halford, Fry, Ball, Fisher; Taylor, Frecklington, Adeyemi (Vaulks 26), Newell (Blackstock 73); Ward, Brown. Subs (not used): Price, Forde, Forster-Caskey, Wilson, Wood

Newcastle United: Darlow; Anita, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Colback; Atsu (Ritchie 66), Diame (Hanley 87), Shelvey, Gouffran; Gayle (Mitrovic 79). Subs (not used): Sels, Hayden, Mbemba, Yedlin