ROTHERHAM United have been taking big strides and manager Ronnie Moore knows his side are in for another huge test at Turf Moor tomorrow.

Having followed promotion from the third division with an instant step up from the second, Moore's squad are now finding their feet in a challenging environment.

They followed narrow 3-2 defeats at the hands of Crystal Palace and Watford with confidenece boosting 1-1 'derby' draws with Sheffield United and Barnsley.

And Moore admitted that there was no hiding at the higher level.

"The derby games seem to be coming every other week," said Moore.

"What with the two Sheffield clubs, Barnsley, Nottingham Forest not far away and even the games against Manchester City and Burnley being fairly close trips, the pressure is on every match.

"But we knew when we moved up that there would be no easy games and where there were sides in the second division where you felt we really ought to win this one, we cannot say that in this division."

While the points have not exactly flooded in Moore has been pleased with the way his side have competed so far.

"I am disappointed that we have not got seven points on the board when I thought we should have," he said.

"But what is important is that we have played well.

"On the opening day we were two up against Crystal Palace but lost 3-2.

"Then we should have had something from the game at Watford, which was tricky as it was their first home match in front of their new manager, but Mark Robins missed a penalty and we lost 3-2 again.

"But we have pulled ourselves round with two draws."

Goals do not appear to be a problem, former Manchester United striker Robins having scored four already, but Moore has moved quickly to address his defensive problems.

He has brought in Martin McIntosh, formerly with Stockport County, from Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.

"I felt we need to add more quality and that is why we got the lad McIntosh from Hibs," explained Moore.

"The easy way to weigh it up is that we had let in six in our first two games, we have only let in two in out next three games if you include the Worthington Cup.

"We needed to tighten up and he has played a big part in that."

All the same Moore is not expecting the Turf Moor clash to be a low scoring affair.

"I watched Burnley at Bradford on Sunday and it was one of those games that really could have gone either way," he said.

"But Burnley were great when they were under the cosh for 15 minutes or so in the second half, and then they got a good goal to win it. If I were a betting man I would not be going for the 0-0 draw tomorrow."