On-the-whistle report: Derby success for ten-man Millers ... Rotherham United 2 Doncaster Rovers 0

TWO-GOAL Michael Smith fired ten-man Rotherham United to victory over derby rivals Doncaster Rovers as the Millers signed off for the international break at AESSEAL New York Stadium this afternoon.
Michael Smith celebrates his first goal with Mickel Miller who was later sent off. Picture by Dave PoucherMichael Smith celebrates his first goal with Mickel Miller who was later sent off. Picture by Dave Poucher
Michael Smith celebrates his first goal with Mickel Miller who was later sent off. Picture by Dave Poucher

The only blot for the home side, who have now won three of the opening five matches of their League One campaign, was the straight red card shown to Mickel Miller in the second half.

By then, Rotherham were already two goals clear, but they will now lose their winger for the next three matches.

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Smith, who could be the target for Championship clubs before Tuesday's close of the transfer window, struck twice as the Millers dominated proceedings before the break.

Kieran Sadlier was lining up for Rotherham against his former club and there were boos from the away end whenever he touched the ball.

The winger responded to the abuse by starting brightly and his cross right in front of his old supporters set up the game's first chance as Miller headed over at the back post in the sixth minute.

Seconds later, another quick starter, Ollie Rathbone, forced Pontus Dahlberg into a save with a low shot.

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Ethan Galbraith was high and wide for the visitors in the 12th minute, a feat repeated by Freddie Ladapo for the Millers two minutes afterwards as the August sun blazed down on New York.

It was Rotherham's second home derby in a week and also the second time kick-off had to be delayed by 15 minutes, turnstile problems again leaving long queues of fans waiting to get in.

On the pitch, Rotherham were experiencing no issues and they took charge of the contest. Big shouts for a penalty when Ladapo looked to be dragged back in the area went unheeded, then a 23rd-minute Jamie Lindsay header was ruled out by an offside flag.

It would have been a sweet moment for Sadlier who provided the cross as the boos continued to rain down on him.

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A goal was coming and it duly arrived in the 27th minute when Miller played in Smith who slipped the ball low past Dahlberg for his second strike of the season.

Rathbone tried his luck from distance soon after, bringing another stop from Dahlberg, before Ben Wiles produced the pass of the match so far to release Ladapo whose finish as he cut in from the left failed to match the quality of the supply.

Rovers threatened sporadically but could muster only shots from outside the area that were blocked while Rotherham looked dangerous every time they went forward.

Ladapo glanced Miller's cross wide, Sadlier, excelling against his one-time employers, danced in and tested Dahlberg at the goalkeeper's near post and then Smith picked the perfect time to score his second goal, right on half-time.

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The ball fell to the centre-forward after some penalty-area pinball and he made no mistake from 18 yards.

With wingers Chiedozie Ogbene and Shane Ferguson out injured, the Millers made changes on the flanks, bringing in Sadlier and Miller.

Striker Ladapo had fully reovered from tonsillitis and returned to the starting line-up as young Josh Kayode made way by dropping to the bench.

Centre-half Curtis Tilt was a surprise inclusion among the substitutes having recovered ahead of schedule from a hamstring pull suffered on international duty with Jamaica more than two months ago.

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The game appeared to be in the bag for Rotherham, but Miller needlessly dived in on Kyle Knoyle after over-running the ball eight minutes into the second half and received his marching orders to reduce Paul Warne's side to ten men.

Rovers, with renewed hope, came more into the contest and Matt Smith had their first effort on target just past the hour mark, Viktor Johansson comfortably handling the long-range attempt.

Goal attempts from Rathbone and Michael Ihiekwe came to nothing as Rotherham switched to one up front to compensate for the loss of Miller.

They held on to their lead without any trouble, other than for a Ro-Shaun Williams stoppage-time shot kept out by Johansson, but the dismissal prevented any chance of the much bigger win that could have been theirs with a full team.

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Rotherham (3-5-2): Viktor Johansson; Michael Ihiekwe, Richard Wood, Wes Harding; Kieran Sadlier (Dan Barlaser 71), Ben Wiles, Jamie Lindsay, Ollie Rathbone (Rarmani Edmonds-Green 90+1), Mickel Miller; Freddie Ladapo (Joe Mattock 57), Michael Smith. Subs not used: Josh Vickers, Curtis Tilt, Hakeem Odoffin, Josh Kayode.

Doncaster (4-3-3): Pontus Dahlberg; Kyle Knoyle, Ro-Shaun Williams, Cameron John, Branden Horton (Tiago Cukur 52); Ethan Galbraith, John Bostock (Aidan Barlow 61), Ben Close; Charlie Seaman, Matt Smith, Tommy Rowe. Subs not used: Louis Jones, Dan Gardner, AJ Greaves, Ben Blythe, Liam Ravenhill.

Goals: Smith 27, 45 (Rotherham).

Red card: Miller 53 (Rotherham).

Referee: Martin Coy (County Durham).

Attendance: 9,748 (1,716).