On-the-whistle report: FA Cup progress on boss's milestone evening ... Rotherham United 1 Stockport County 0

The table-topping League One Millers saw off a spirited challenge from National League Stockport County with Michael Smith's 15th goal of the campaign.

The visitors, eighth in their own division, had beaten third-tier opposition in Bolton Wanderers earlier in the tournament but couldn't repeat the feat as Paul Warne's men stretched their club-record unbeaten run to 18 matches.

Rotherham were made to work hard for their place in Monday' night's third-round draw when the Premier League and Championship big boys enter proceedings.

The highest-ranked club at this stage of the competition, they were the first side to threaten and Chiedozie Ogbene saw a shot deflected for a corner as he cut inside from the right in the third minute.

Neither team were dominating but the Millers also had the next sight of goal, on 20 minutes, when Mickel Miller sent a dipping free-kick just over the bar.

Stockport were being roared on by a vocal sell-out away following and Scott Quigley gave them something to cheer in the 26th minute, turning neatly outside the area and sending a venomous shot arrowing towards the top corner.

It need a stunning save from fit-again goalkeeper Josh Vickers to keep the contest goalless.

The non-leaguers, combative, full of energy and quick to break, had acquitted themselves well, but were relieved in the 35th minute when Ben Wiles couldn't get enough power on his shot, allowing Ben Hinchliffe to make the save.

The keeper was powerless two minutes before the interval when the tenacious Ollie Rathbone won back a ball he'd lost and rolled it to Smith for a tap-in right in front of the Stockport following.

It was a great time to score, changing the complexion of the tie, and the Millers, who had been given a real test so far, could have extended their lead before half-time, Miller bringing  sharp stop from Hinchliffe with a rasping effort from distance.

Rotherham had picked a side packed with first-team regulars, although left wing-back Shane Ferguson was missing from their squad.

Will Grigg's sore buttocks, caused by a heavy challenge in Tuesday's EFL Trophy clash with Port Vale, had eased enough for the loan striker to be included among the substitutes.

Six minutes after the restart, Ogbene pressed the accelerator and bent a decent attempt wide, but County began to pile on the pressure as they searched for a leveller.

Freddie Ladapo could have eased the tension only to shoot weakly when Rathbone's run and low cross teed him up before a huge Rotherham let-off when Ash Palmer somehow directed a free header off target in the 64th minute.

The centre-forward did better seven minutes later, his pass sending Ben Wiles bursting down the left to test Hinchliffe.

Both teams were going for a goal and asking questions of each other in a free-flowing second half but Rotherham saw out the contest towards the end without further trouble.

Grigg's dodgy buttocks had come off the bench in the closing stages. Even sorer were Stockport who'd given their all only to fall to the Millers.

Rotherham (3-5-2): Josh Vickers; Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Richard Wood (Wes Harding H-T), Michael Ihiekwe; Chiedozie Ogbene, Ben Wiles, Dan Barlaser (Hakeem Odoffin 81), Ollie Rathbone (Jamie Lindsay 66), Mickel Miller (Joe Mattock 81); Freddie Ladapo, Michael Smith (Will Grigg 75). Subs not used: Viktor Johansson, Kieran Sadlier, Tolaji Bola, Josh Kayode.

Stockport (3-5-2): Ben Hinchliffe; Ben Barclay (Liam Hogan 78), Ash Palmer, Mark Kitching (Arjan Raikhy 85); Macauley Southam-Hales, Antoni Sarcevic, Ryan Croasdale (John Rooney 85), Will Collar (Paddy Madden 55), Ryan Rydel; Ollie Crankshaw (Connor Jennings 78), Scott Quigley. Subs not used: Ethan Ross, Sam Minihan, Will Fish, Zeki Fryers.

Goals: Smith 43 (Rotherham).

Referee: Ollie Yates (Staffordshire).

Attendance: 6,466 (2,318).