Freddie fires as Millers make winning start. On-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 2 Plymouth Argyle 0

The striker, signed from the Pilgrims for £400,000 two years ago, needed only ten minutes to hit the target and set the Millers on their way as fans finally returned to AESSEAL New York Stadium for a competitive match after an absence of almost 18 months,

Ladapo applied the finish from perfect Freddie range - half a yard - after a goalmouth scramble had found him in the right place at the right time and was instant payback for the 28-year-old who'd suffered some stick from a large travelling contingent of supporters.

Ben Wiles emphatic shot towards the break nestled in the top corner to give Rotherham the breathing space they needed against game opposition.

Only three minutes had gone when Plymouth went close to an opener, Jordan Houghton fizzing a volley narrowly over the ball after Conor Grant's cross had been headed out to the edge of the area.

Wiles spooned the ball way too high as the Millers responded with a well-worked corner routine that gave the midfielder a sight of goal and then New York erupted as Ladapo pounced against his old side.

Dan Scarr rose high for the visitors at a free-kick on 22 minutes but is power header was even higher and didn't trouble Viktor Johansson in the Rotherham goal.

But the keeper, after comfortably holding a Grant free-kick, had to be sharp as the half-hour mark approached when Houghton let fly from 20 yards.

Because of Covid, it had been 525 days since New York had last allowed in supporters for a meaningful fixture and the ground was buzzing. The away fans played their part as well, and it was the visitors who were threatening the next goal.

All they'd done was threaten, however, and it was the Millers who showed them how it was done in the 38th minute.

Michael Smith was set free on the right by Jamie Lindsay's clever pass and Wiles produced an excellent, pinpoint finish into the opposite corner when the ball reached him at the far post.

Rotherham were causing much of their own trouble and a weak Wiles' back-pass almost let in Ryan Hardie at the start of the second half.

At the other end, Ladapo thought he was in for his second of the afternoon when he rode Scarr's challenge after 55 minutes but shot too close to keeper Mike Cooper.

The Millers brought on Ollie Rathbone for his debut and soon afterwards Mickel Miller beat the offside trap to collect a ball over the top from Wiles but couldn't get enough power or direction in his low effort to beat Cooper.

Chiedozie Ogbene found himself in acres of space on 74 minute when he was freed on the break by Smith but unfortunately the ball also found acres of space as he took on his shot much too early and was way off target.

Hakeem Odoffin and Shane Ferguson became a second and third home debutants as Argyle pressed and Rotherham kept them at bay.

Jamie Lindsay did well to get in a flicked header from Smith's cross but couldn't keep it on goal.

The Millers came to life towards the end and Ladapo couldn't finish off a brilliant run and ball by Wes Harding before Ogbene blazed high and wide in front of the North Stand, Michael Ihiekwe headed over, Lindsay had a fierce drive blocked and Ihiekwe had another header saved.

It wasn't a great performance and Paul Warne's men rode their luck at times but they got the job done.

Just as importantly, more importantly even, New York was full again.

Rotherham (3-5-2): Viktor Johansson; Wes Harding, Richard Wood, Michael Ihiekwe; Chiedozie Ogbene, Jamie Lindsay, Dan Barlaser (Ollie Rathbone 58), Ben Wiles (Hakeem Odoffin 76), Mickel Miller (Shane Ferguson 83); Freddie Ladapo, Michael Smith. Subs not used: Josh Chapman, Kieran Sadlier, Josh Kayode, Rarmani Edmonds-Green.

Plymouth (4-1-3-2): Mike Cooper; Joe Edwards, James Wilson, Dan Scarr, Macauley Gillesphey; Jordan Houghton; Panutche Camara, Danny Mayor (Ryan Broom 64), Conor Grant (Adam Randell 76); Ryan Hardie, Luke Jephcott (Rhys Shirley 76). Subs not used: Callum Burton, Brendan Galloway, Ryan Law.

Goals: Ladapo 10, Wiles 38 (Rotherham).

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge (Tyne).

Attendance: 9,417 (1,102).