Rotherham United moved out of the relegation zone for the first time in two months after an emphatic 4-0 win over troubled Bolton Wanderers.

Pre-match talk was full of mixed feelings. With the Millers consistency questionable this season and after Bolton performed well against Fulham last time out, it was looking like it would be a cagey affair.

The first half was exactly that. The notable chance of the half came from Zack Clough, who couldn't curl his shot past impressive 'keeper Lee Camp from 15 yards. At half-time it was still 0-0.

However, after fears from the fans that the game could end up to be a bore draw; Grant Ward stepped up to the plate to put the South Yorkshire side in the lead. The Spurs loanee does not really score tap-ins and he showed his long range prowess again as he fired in a shot from 20 yards on his weaker foot which Bolton stopper Ben Amos was unable to stop.

After this it was all Rotherham. Danny Ward added their second with a composed finish as he rounded the 'keeper and took time to find the far corner on his weaker foot with defenders bearing down on him.

Revitalised winger Joe Newell added United's third with another calm finish when he found himself one-on-one with Amos.

The game was put out of question completely after the introduction of the clubs record signing Jonson Clarke-Harris. The powerful striker surged onto a classy back-heel from Andreu and finished at the near post to leave Bolton defeated.

The outcome of the game left many questions and answered just as many. However here are three things we learned from the 4-0 win...

1) Tony Andreu can definitely step up to the plate to replace Luke Hyam

After a season of inconsistency, Rotherham had finally found their feet with a midfield five of Grant Ward, Lee Frecklington, Joe Newell, Luke Hyam and Richie Smallwood.

The game against Hull cemented that five further and the mix of creativity, work-rate and tackling ability between the five of them was impressive.

However days before the Bolton game Hyam was recalled by Ipswich Town leaving Redfearn with a choice to make of whether to play Andreu or another striker with Danny Ward.

His faith in Andreu was wholly repaid. The Frenchman gained a hattrick of assists including an impressive back-heel flick to put Clarke-Harris in for the fourth goal of the game.

Andreu's performance shows that Redfearn can trust in his ability, with the 27 year old also coming back to defend often to show his spirit and desire.

2) Rotherham's defence has improved hugely

Before the match, the comical match-up of Emile Heskey versus Kirk Broadfoot was the talk on defence. However, the Millers back four had a lot more to prove than marshall the former England international.

After keeping a clean sheet against Hull City, the Boxing Day fixture was a chance to prove that Redfearn's men had moved on from the nightmare defensive woes that plagued their first half of the season.

Again Redfearn was repaid. Kirk Broadfoot was excellent and never looked unassured on the ball or going up for a 50/50.

His centre-half pairing with Farrend Rawson is improving all the time with the Derby County loanee covering if the Scotsman missed an interception or a tackle.

Even towards the 90th minute when the game was won, Broadfoot was still performing to his best to keep his defence in line and prevent complacency.

Lee Camp was another stellar performer against Bolton. He made some vital saves to make sure Bolton never got a chance to rally and he kept Zach Clough out in the first half when the scores were level at 0-0.

Full-backs Joe Mattock and Frazer Richardson quietly kept the Bolton wings under lock and added some options in attack in a solid performance from the whole back-line.

3) Bolton will struggle to recover from this loss

Bolton's 4-0 loss was the worst they have lost all season.

Losing 4-0 against a team they would have seen as equals will damage their morale greatly.

With takeover talks stagnating and the players underpaid, this loss could have huge implications.

The fans booed the team at the final whistle and only half the Wanderers players went to thank their fans for coming at the end of the game.

With Neil Lennon out of ideas, the team low on morale, the fans despairing and the financial troubles no closer to being solved; things are looking extremely bleak for Bolton Wanderers.

Rotherham fans, who do you think was man of the match yesterday? Bolton fans, do you think you will be able to recover from this loss and bounce back? Let us know in the comments below!