Millers crash to first defeat

Rotherham United 0-1 Peterborough United

THE Millers lost their unbeaten record in frustrating fashion after dominating high-flying Peterborough at the New York Stadium.

A second-half penalty following a handball by Kari Arnason decided the match in favour of the visitors, who enjoyed a bright 15 minutes in the second spell but were otherwise under the cosh.

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Peterborough dominated the opening exchanges but Rotherham soon came to the fore and the first real chance was created and squandered by Kieran Agard, who burst through on the right but blazed high and wide.

Ben Pringle fired just wide from 25 yards before coming even closer with a fizzing low 30 yard free kick.

There was plenty of neat approach play from the Millers, while Milsom and Frecklington showed plenty of bite in the tackle, sometimes to the exception of their opponents.

The best chance of the half fell to Daniel Nardiello, who perhaps should have done better than hitting a rebound over the bar after Olejnik saved a 30-year firecracker of a left-footed drive from Rob Milsom.

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Presumably after a half-time rocket from Darren Ferguson, Peterborough started the second half at a blistering pace and scored with their first shot on target.

Kari Arnason handled under pressure from Posh striker Tyrone Barnett following McCann’s corner from the left on 51 minutes and McCann lashed home from the penalty spot.

It was harsh on the Millers given the balance of the first half but it was a brutal lesson in what happens if you fail to take your chances.

Suddenly the visitors appeared to have renewed energy and they threatened to double their lead, Assombolonga twice showing good pace and strength before being crowded out by the goal-line.

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Rotherham came to life in the last half-an-hour, and looked certain to equalise when Tome Eaves header across goal fell to Bradley, but the right back blazed over the bar, condemning the Millers to a first defeat of the season.

 Rotherham:Shearer; Bradley, Skarz, Morgan, Arnason; Frecklington, Milsom, Pringle, Agard (Tubbs 77) ; Revell, Nardiello.

Peterborough: Olejnik; Alcock , Zakuani , Bostwick, Rowe; Swanson (Kearns 62), Payne, McCann, Taylor (Newell 76) ; Assombalonga, Barnett.

Attendance: 9,717.

 

 

Millers; Shearer; Bradley, Skarz, Morgan, Arnason; Frecklington, Milsom, Pringle, Agard; Revell, Nardiello.

Peterborough: Olejnik; Alcock , Zakuani , Bostwick, Rowe; Swanson, Payne, McCann, Taylor ; Assombalonga, Barnett.