Action for the new boys as the Millers get a taste for the spectacular before the big one ... on-the-whistle report: Lincoln City 0 Rotherham United 3

The Millers, who begin their Championship season at Stoke City next Saturday, took control of the contest in the second half against opposition from the division below.

They gave debuts wing-back debuts to Fred Onyedinma and full-back who had both joined the club on loan earlier in the week.

Jordan Hugill saw his spot-kick kept out but soon made up for it by scoring the third goal as Rotherham gave further evidence that they're ready for the real action to begin.

Two of the goals, from Ollie Rathbone and Cafu, were spectacular affairs much enjoyed by the 465 away fans who'd made the journey to Lincolnshire

The Millers made a fast start and Onyedinma was involved immediately, playing a clever little ball down the right flank in the first minute to Cameron Humphreys whose cross was headed against the bar by Jordan Hugill.

Soon afterwards, at the other end, Viktor Johansson saved sharply with his feet to foil Ben House who had been freed by Danny Mandoroiu's reverse pass.

In the sun and wind at the LNER Stadium, neither side created much as the first half wore on.

Cafu looked a class apart with his smooth use of the ball while, for the first time this summer, there were consistent signs that Ben Wiles is putting his ankle surgery behind him.

The homegrown midfielder wasn't far away from opener, just failing to stretch far enough to head in Georgie Kelly's cross. 

A worry for Rotherham was centre-half Grant Hall, who suffered such injury misfortune last season, departing proceedings nine minutes before the interval.

On the stroke of half-time, Rathbone took possession and produced one of the moments of pre-season as he skipped forward, played a one-two with Hugill and curled the ball home from 25 yards to break the deadlock.

Even at full stretch, goalkeeper Lukas Jensen was nowhere near saving such a stunning strike.

The Millers had gone with a 3-5-2 formation, pairing their pre-season top scorer, Kelly, with Hugill up front.

A welcome sight was striker Josh Kayode on the bench after almost a year on the sidelines with knee and quad problems and being given game-time in the second period.

Within seconds of the restart Matt Tayor's men were almost pegged back when Tyler Walker crossed low from the left and Lasse Sorensen's back-post effort flashed just wide.

Lincoln were made to regret that miss two minutes later when Cafu took aim from a free-kick wide on the left and did what he's been threatening to do ever since his arrival earlier this month: score a set-piece stunner.

It was the same routine for the keeper as the Rathbone goal: a despairing dive and the ball flying by and then being picked out of the net.

Rotherham should have been 3-0 in front on 54 minutes when Hugill stepped up to take a penalty awarded for a handball by Jaden Brown. However, Jensen didn't fall for the pause in the run-up and made a good stop to his right.

Meanwhile, Cafu nearly did it again with another free-kick, forcing a near-post stop from the Imps' over-worked keeper.

Just past the hour mark, Hugill atoned for his spot-kick failure with a close-range finish from Humphreys' cross.

Lembikisa entered the fray in place of Onyedinma, who'd shown a good turn of pace, and displayed a similar attribute to the man he'd replaced.

The contest petered out as both sides made a number of substitutions but the Millers could be pleased with their afternoon's work.

Just a private friendly with Bradford City on Tuesday to come, then it all kicks off at the bet365 Stadium.

Lincoln (3-4-3): Lukas Jensen; Paudie O'Connor, Adam Jackson, Sean Roughan; Lasse Sorensen, Ali Smith, Ethan Erhahon, Jaden Brown (TJ Eyoma 65); Danny Mandoroiu, Ben House (Dylan Duffy 83), Reeco Hackett (Tyler Walker H-T). Subs not used: Jordan Wright, Oisin Gallagher, Jovon Makama, Elicha Ahui.

Rotherham (3-5-2): Viktor Johansson; Cameron Humphreys, Grant Hall (Sean Morrison 36), Lee Peltier (Jamie McCart 65); Fred Onyedinma (Dexter Lembikisa 61), Ollie Rathbone (Hakeem Odoffin 83), Cafu (Curtis Durose 85), Ben Wiles, Cohen Bramall; Georgie Kelly (Josh Kayode 65), Jordan Hugill (Josh Ayres 79). Subs not used: Dillon Phillips, Jake Hull, Tolaji Bola, Joel Holvey.

Goals: Rathbone 45, Cafu 48, Hugill 61 (Rotherham).

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Attendance: 2,535 (465).