MATCH REPORT: Deadline day dip for Millers at Forest

As club staff worked to bring in new blood before the 11pm transfer deadline, a brace from Britt Assombolonga undid hopes of a first away win of the season. The 2-0 defeat means the Championship’s bottom club have taken just one point from 45 on the road this season.

The match came too soon for new signings Ben Purrington and striker Carlton Morris, who joined on loan from from Norwich City just hours before kick-off.

Danny Ward’s inclusion indicated that the sought-after top scorer will see out the season at the New York Stadium and there was a debut for loan man Semi Ajayi, the towering centre-half from Cardiff City.

He had plenty of heading practice as the Millers dealt comfortably with all that  an out-of-form Forest side could throw at them in a poor quality first half.

Richard O’Donnell was called upon to keep out a volley from Jamie Ward and Joe Mattock nearly put through his own goal while Jon Taylor fired two crisp efforts at Stephen Henderson at the other end.

Rotherham were rocked back two minutes after the restart when Richard Wood brought down Assombalonga and the striker duly sent Richard O’Donnell the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The Millers tried to hit back, with Ward focing a brilliant low save from Henderson, but when Assombalonga popped in his second from Ward’s cross 20 minutes from time, there was no way back.

Forest: Henderson, Lichaj, Pinillos, Fox, Osborn, Hobbs, Mancienne, Vaughan, Jamie Ward, Brereton, Assombalonga

Millers: O’Donnell, Kelly, Mattock, Ajayi, Wood, Forde (Blackstock 82), Vaulks, Smallwood (Newell 75), Adeyemi (Yates 57), Taylor, Danny Ward

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)

Attendance: 15,770 (393 visitors)