STEPHEN Purches is desperate to erase the memory of his Millmoor nightmare as he looks to help Cherries take a giant step towards League One survival.

Purches is on Saturday likely to be one of only four survivors in the starting line-up from Cherries' St Valentine's Day massacre at Rotherham 13 months ago.

Sean O'Driscoll's charges left South Yorkshire licking their wounds after suffering an abysmal 2-0 defeat in arguably their worst display of last season.

And Purches knows Kevin Bond's side must avoid a repeat performance if they are to steal a march on their relegation-haunted hosts and continue their climb to safety.

The 27-year-old told the Daily Echo: "You always have memories of places you've been to and that was a bad night. It wasn't a nice game to be involved in at all.

"We've played there a couple of times since I've been here and haven't done well. I don't know what went wrong last season, but those of us who were involved won't forget it in a hurry. We lost 2-0 and it could have been worse.

"It was something we don't want to repeat."

Purches also faced the Millers when they turned in a polished display to win 3-1 at Dean Court in October and knows they will be a tough proposition on their own patch: "They looked a very decent side when they came to our place.

"They were on a good run then and have lost a couple of major players since then. Sometimes, teams are where they shouldn't be in the table and I'm sure they will be thinking they've got every chance of beating us. They beat Blackpool in midweek and that will give them a lot of confidence."

Purches also knows Cherries must put an end to their curious cycle of two wins followed by two defeats: "It's weird but hopefully we can break it because we've got to make sure we come away with something.

"Every home game recently has been massive because we seem to have come off the back of an away defeat away so it would be nice to break the cycle at Rotherham."

The utility man has proved an able deputy for Warren Cummings at left-back in Cherries' past two wins - and even kept the Scotsman out against Tranmere.

Purches added: "It was put upon me quite quickly but I've enjoyed it. I was up against out-and-out wingers in both games and thought I did pretty well. I'm pleased with the way I've performed and with how the team has been performing so hopefully it can continue."