Derby-day woe for the Millers ... on-the-whistle report: Huddersfield Town 2 Rotherham United 0

The injury-hit Millers had been in fine form before the two-week lull in action but were second best to the Terriers at the John Smith's Stadium and deserved to suffer a defeat that dropped them a spot to 21st place in the table.

A goal either side of half-time did the damage and the margin of the loss could have been greater.

They'd beaten a high-flying Norwich City side a fortnight ago but failed a different kind of test against opponents who had begun proceedings below them in the rankings.

Sam Clucas came on for a debut in the second half when Rotherham were already trailing by two goals and showing no signs of forcing their way back into the contest.

After a quiet opening by both sides, the visitors fell behind on 18 minutes while left-back Cohen Bramall was lying injured on the turf.

Sorba Thomas crossed unopposed from the spot the defender would have been occupying and former Millers loanee Josh Koroma arrived at the back post to turn the ball in.

Matt Taylor's men were having plenty of possession but looked open at the back when the home team countered.

Old boy Ben Wiles was playing his former club only three weeks after his £1-million-plus departure from AESSEAL New York Stadium and was given a warm reception by visiting fans when his name was announced before kick-off.

Rotherham were without playmaker Cafu, who has made such an impact since his summer arrival, and his injury absence saw Hakeem Odoffin come straight back into midfield after a hamstring issue.

The Portuguese's controlling influence in the middle of the park was being missed as the Millers probed without creating any clear-cut chances.

Huddersfield breakaways continued to cause the visitors problems and only a Thomas miskick in front of goal on 38 minutes prevented them falling further behind.

Wiles lined one up on the edge of the area in front of 2,000 travelling supporters who all feared the worst and were relieved to see his curling effort go wide.

A slick turn and snap-shot from Fred Onyedinma tested Terriers goalkeeper Lee Nicholls for the first time just before the teams headed in for the interval.

Rotherham had two new boys - midfielder Clucas and loan left-back Sebastian Revan - on their bench while record signing Sam Nombe was also among the substitutes. A calf problem kept centre-half Sean Morrison out of the matchday 20.

Two minutes after the restart the Millers came close to an equaliser. Onyedinma's header had power and direction but was superbly clawed away from underneath the bar by the diving Nicholls.

Rotherham were now playing with more intent but it needed a crucial block from Ollie Rathbone to keep them in the game, the midfielder foiling Delano Burgzorg on the hour mark after the striker had been played in by Wiles' cute pass.

Burgzorg was dangerous but raw and he dragged a shot wastefully wide as Huddersfield enjoyed a spell on top. Kian Harratt missed even more badly, volleying off target as the Millers wobbled.

A second goal was coming and duly arrived in the 70th minute when Koroma broke and crossed from the left and Thomas raced in to apply the finish.

Clucas's left-flank delivery set up fellow sub Tom Eaves for a chance right in front of goal but the striker's tame 84th-minute header straight into the hands of Nicholl summed up the Millers' afternoon.

Huddersfield (3-5-2): Lee Nicholls; Matty Pearson, Michal Helik, Josh Ruffels; Sorba Thomas (David Kasumu 88), Jack Rudoni, Jonathan Hogg (Rarmani Edmonds-Green 55), Ben Wiles, Josh Koroma (Brahima Diarra 76); Delano Burgzorg (Jaheim Headley 76), Kian Harratt (Kyle Hudlin 76). Subs not used: Chris Maxwell, Pat Jones, Ben Jackson, Yuta Nakayama.

Rotherham (4-3-3): Viktor Johansson; Dexter Lembikisa, Cameron Humphreys, Tyler Blackett, Cohen Bramall; Hakeem Odoffin (Arvin Appiah 55), Christ Tiehi, Ollie Rathbone (Sam Clucas 75); Fred Onyedinma, Jordan Hugill (Tom Eaves 75), Andre Green (Sam Nombe 75). Subs not used: Dillon Phillips, Hamish Douglas, Sebastian Revan, Georgie Kelly, Ciaran McGuckin.

Goals: Koroma 18, Thomas 70 (Huddersfield).

Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire).