Lincoln's Mark Hudson shot against the post early on but Holmes got the opener from close-range and then Lee Ridley hit a clearance against his own bar.

Jamie Forrester equalised after a defensive mnix-up, only for Holmes to put Lincoln ahead with a free header.

Holmes completed his hat-trick with a side-footed finish from Pablo Mills' cross before Shane Clarke was shown a straight red card for a foul on Hudson.

Lincoln City: Marriott, Green, Beevers, Brown, Ridley, John-Lewis, Frecklington (Clarke 46), Kerr, Dodds (Ryan 84), Forrester (Adam Smith 73), Wright. Subs Not Used: Duffy, Hone.

Sent Off: Clarke (90).

Goals: Forrester 55.

Rotherham: Warrington, Sharps, Coughlan, Joseph, Brogan, Derek Holmes, Danny Harrison, Mills, Hudson, Taylor (Ross 68), O'Grady.
Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Tonge, Peter Holmes, Newsham.

Booked: Mills, Coughlan.

Goals: Derek Holmes 24, 57, 84.

Att: 5,016

Ref: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).