Spectacular goals, encouraging signs and a new star man for the Millers ... the story of Lincoln City 0 Rotherham United 3

THERE was a flash of skill to beat his marker, a burst of pace towards the byline, then a cross ten metres too long.

It was as if Chiedozie Ogbene had never left Rotherham United.

This was the Millers' newest attacking threat, Fred Oneydinma, in action on his debut and doing a fair old impression of the departed winger.

Ogbene is now in the Premier League and in yesterday's final public outing of pre-season Rotherham were showing they might just be all right in the Championship without him.

Onyedinma and fellow new boy Dexter Lambikisa showed promising signs in wing-back roles but left the eye-catching performances to midfield pair Ollie Rathbone and Cafu who both fired in spectacular strikes as the Millers took a while to get going against League One opposition before taking control of the contest at the LNER Stadium.

"It was a good way to end pre-season," manager Matt Taylor said. "Some players completed the 90-plus minutes. We know there is going to be a lot of added time next season because of the new rules so we're trying to prepare the lads for 100-plus minutes.

"As the game went on we got stronger as a team. Second half, we were in the ascendancy. We had a ten-15 minute patch where we scored a couple of goals and really played on the front foot. The remaining 25 minutes were just about seeing out the game.

"I was pleased with Fred and Dexter. It'll take them a bit of time to find their feet. Fred showed moments of his pace and power. Dexter probably showed more attacking intent when he replaced him because he got more clean ball."

Rathbone struck on the stroke of half-time, winning possession, driving forward, playing a one-two with Jordan Hugill and powering a 25-yard curler far beyond Imps goalkeeper Lukas Jensen.

Three minutes after the restart, Cafu did what he'd been threatening to ever since his arrival in early July: score with sumptuous set-piece artistry.

One again, the full-stretched Jensen was left clutching only air as the ball, delivered from an angle on the left, flew into the top corner.

Soon afterwards, Hugill saw his penalty - awarded against Jaden Brown for handball - saved but the centre-forward atoned on the hour mark, pouncing from close range when the move of the match freed Cameron Humphreys to scamper down the right flank and deliver a low cross.

"The third goal was the best team one," Taylor said. "The other two were moments of individual quality, which we want to keep seeing. We know Cafu has got it in dead-ball situations. Ollie ... he's capable of doing that."

Josh Kayode came on to rousing applause from the 465-strong away following as he put his nine-month injury nightmare behind him and the ovation when calm, classy Cafu exited proceedings was even louder.

Ogbene was a star turn in his time with Rotherham. The Millers look to have found another one in their Portuguese playmaker.

Rotherham (3-5-2): Viktor Johansson 7; Cameron Humphreys 8, Grant Hall 6 (Sean Morrison 36, 7), Lee Peltier 7 (Jamie McCart 65, 7); Fred Onyedinma 6 (Dexter Lembikisa 61, 6), Ollie Rathbone 8 (Hakeem Odoffin 83), Cafu 8 (Curtis Durose 85), Ben Wiles 7, Cohen Bramall 7; Georgie Kelly 6 (Josh Kayode 65), Jordan Hugill 7 (Josh Ayres 79). Subs not used: Dillon Phillips, Jake Hull, Tolaji Bola, Joel Holvey.

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.

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

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Attendance: 2,535 (465).