Penalties do the trick for Matt Taylor's side... on-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 1 Morecambe 1 (Millers win 4-2 in a shoot-out)

The Championship Millers had been beaten by the League Two outfit the last twice they had faced them at AESSEAL New York Stadium in this competition, in 2016 and last season.

Matt Taylor's men needed a penalty shoot-out to knock out the Shrimps and Phillips came up with two superb saves in front of a small crowd after the teams had finished level in regulation time.

Rotherham scored all four of their spot-kicks and Fred Onyedinma's final one settled proceedings to ensure the Millers' name goes into tomorrow evening's draw.

Morecambe were in front in the first half but the home side pegged them back before the interval.

Rotherham had an early let-off when Michael Mellon got the better of Sean Morrison on the left flank and crossed low for JJ McKiernan who wasted a clear chance by failing to make a solid connection.

They found themselves behind in the 22nd minute as Michael Mellon was freed down the right by Yann Songo'o and ran in on goal to fire a low shot past Phillips into the far corner.

Rotherham responded with a firm header from Georgie Kelly but the effort was too close to Stuart Moore and gave the keeper a comfortable catch.

On a warm night in South Yorkshire, the visitors were being cheered on by just over 100 travelling fans who were making a noise beyond their meagre number.

They were silenced on 37 minutes, however, when Cohen Bramall made ground down the left and sent in a cross that Millers old boy Farren Rawson failed to clear.

The lurking Josh Kayode, finally clear of his nine-month injury ordeal and partnering Kelly up front, didn't need asking twice to poke the ball over the line for the equaliser.

It was his first goal since he bagged the winner at Wimbledon in February of the 2021/22 League One promotion season.

Rotherham were without six senior players but still fielded a strong starting 11 as they handed a debut to goalkeeper Phillips and home bows to loan wing-backs Dexter Lembikisa and  Onyedinma.

The Millers were the better side after the break but it was a second half of few chances.

Just past the hour mark, the scampering Ollie Rathbone punched a hole in Morecambe's defence and his cross set up Kelly for a header that brought a decent save from Moore.

As the clock ticked down, teenager Ciaran McGuckin missed out on a big moment, heading over in front of the North Stand from fellow substitute Tyler Blackett's cross when his first senior goal was there for the taking.

Charlie Brown headed over for the visitors in the 90th minute before Jordan Hugill took too long to get his shot away, allowing Morecambe to block.

Then came the drama of the shoot-out and a night to remember for Phillips.

Penalties:

JJ McKiernan (Morecambe) scores

Jordan Hugill (Millers) scores

Jacob Davenport (Morecambe) scores

Ollie Rathbone (Millers) scores

Charlie Brown (Morecambe) saved

Tyler Blackett (Millers) scores

Jake Taylor (Morecambe) saved

Fred Onyedinma (Millers) scores

Rotherham (3-5-2): Dillon Phillips; Cameron Humphreys, Sean Morrison (Tyler Blackett 78), Jamie McCart; Dexter Lembikisa (Tolaji Bola 78), Ben Wiles, Ollie Rathbone, Hakeem Odoffin, Cohen Bramall (Ciaran McGuckin 78), Georgie Kelly (Jordan Hugill 74), Josh Kayode (Fred Onyedinma 62). Subs not used: Viktor Johansson, Josh Ayres.

Morecambe (4-2-3-1): Stuart Moore; Donald Love Farrend Rawson, Jacob Bedeau, Joel Senior; Eli King (Jacob Davenport 82), Yann Songo'o; Tom Bloxham (Jake Taylor 74), JJ McKiernan, Jordan Slew (Cammy Smith 74); Michael Mellon (Charlie Brown 74). Subs not used: Adam Smith, Chris Stokes, Max Melbourne, Cameron Rooney.

Goals: Mellon 22 (Morecambe); Kayode 37 (Rotherham).

Referee: Thomas Parsons.

Attendance: 2,834 (111).