MATCH REPORT: Millers bow to Royals' class

ROTHERHAM United’s wretched away run goes on despite leading for a large part of their Easter clash at promotion chasers Reading.

Tom Adeyemi’s sixth goal of the season had Paul Warne’s side in front at half time but the Royals’ class told in the end as they hit back to win 2-1 with goals from two former Millers, Lewis Grabban and John Swift.

Rotherham hadn’t won at Reading since 1977 in the days at Elm Park and there was early hope of ending that run when they scored from a smart move on 19 minutes.

Will Vaulks’ back heel set Danny Ward free down the left and although Carlton Morris’s header was parried by Ali Al Habsi, Adeyemi  was on hand to tap in.

The Millers stitched together some decent moves but were powerless to stop Reading getting their passing game going. Richard O’Donnell showed sharp reflexes to keep out Yakou Meite and Semi Ajayi’s last-ditch challenge foiled Swift when he looked set to pounce from close range. Joe Mattock was also forced to head off the line.

Reading piled on the pressure in the second half, forcing corner after corner, and it was no surprise when they equalised on 66 minutes with a sweet back post volley from Grabban, fresh on as a substitute.

Struggling to put anything together in attack, the Millers were rocked again on 79 minutes when a smart passing move ended with Swift tapping in at the far post.

It was relegated Rotherham’s 11th defeat  in the last 12 and their draw at Ipswich in October remains their only point on the road this term.

Reading: - Al-Habsi, Gunter (c), Obita, Moore, Blackett, Swift, Williams, Beerens (Grabban 65), McCleary, Meite (Kelly 46), Kermorgant

Millers: O'Donnell; Fisher (Clarke-Harris 75), Ajayi, Wood, Mattock; Adeyemi, Smallwood, Vaulks; Taylor, Morris (Newell 58), Ward

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)

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