On-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 4 Peterborough United 0

The Millers were much too strong for Darren Ferguson's side and moved above them in the table just a point away from second place.

The only blots on an exhilarating afternoon was a second-half red card for left-back Joe Mattock after Peterborough had already had a player sent off and injury to centre-half Clark Robertson.

Richard Wood began the scoring soon after the interval and two own goals and a Kyle Vassell Christmas cracker saw them complete a victory that made a mockery of some of their previous stutters at home this season.

Rotherham were on top in the first half but it was an opening period of few chances as the Millers' final ball too often lacked quality.

Carlton Morris headed over from Adam Thompson's right-wing cross early on and Chiedozie Ogbene failed to connect as the ball ran through his legs when he had a clear sight of goal in the 20th minute.

Matt Olosunde tried his luck from distance and gave Christy Pym an easy save before the home side missed a big opportunity to take the lead in the 38th minute.

Dan Barlaser swung over a 38th-minute corner but Thompson could only head a free header off target.

The division's top scorer, Ivan Toney, spurned an even easier chance for Peterborough three minutes later, heading Alex Woodyard's cross straight at Daniel Iversen when the goal was at his mercy.

Wood showed the Posh man how to do it five minutes after the break as the Millers made the breakthrough.

The defender, on as a substitute for Robertson, nodded home from close range, and there was another boost for the Millers soon after when Posh were reduced to ten men.

Central defender Frankie Kent, already on a yellow card, upended the charging Ogbene to bring his afternoon to a premature finish.

Rotherham made him and Peterborough pay in the 67th minute as Crooks raced through and his shot found the net with the aid of deflection from Rhys Bennett.

The Millers were cruising but Joe Mattock soured their afternoon by needlessly pushing his head into the face of Toney after a 73rd-minute tussle between the pair and becoming the second player to receive his matching orders, this time for a straight red.

That didn't stop Rotherham scoring again four minutes later and Wood was involved again as his header was turned in by Peterborough sub Joe Ward.

Subs Michael Smith, with a shot just too high, Vassell, who hit the post, and Wood, with a header, could have added to Rotherham's superiority as the final stages of the contest were played out in a festive atmosphere.

Deep in time added on, Vassell applied the perfect ending to the party, finding the net with stunning overhead kick for his first league strike for the club.

Rotherham (4-4-2): Daniel Iversen; Adam Thompson, Michael Ihiekwe, Clark Robertson (Richard Wood 27), Joe Mattock; Chiedozie Ogbene, Matt Crooks, Dan Barlaser, Matt Olosunde; Freddie Ladapo (Kyle Vassell 69), Carlton Morris (Michael Smith 76). Subs not used: Lewis Price, Ben Wiles, Jamie Lindsay, Jake Hastie.

Peterborough (4-4-2): Christy Pym; Niall Mason, Frankie Kent, Mark Beevers, Daniel Butler; Alex Woodyard, Louis Reed (Rhys Bennett 57), George Boyd, Harrison Burrows (Joe Ward H-T); Ricky-Jade Jones, Ivan Toney (Mo Eisa 82). Subs not used: Conor O'Malley, Sam Cartwright, Kyle Barker, Archie Jones.

Goals: Wood 50, Bennett og 67,  Ward og 77 (Rotherham).

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne and Wear).

Attendance: 9,019 (874).

The Millers were much too strong for Darren Ferguson's side and moved above them in the table just a point away from second place.

The only blots on an exhilarating afternoon was a second-half red card for left-back Joe Mattock after Peterborough had already had a player sent off and injury to centre-half Clark Robertson.

Richard Wood began the scoring soon after the interval and two own goals and a Kyle Vassell Christmas cracker saw them complete a victory that made a mockery of some of their previous stutters at home this season.

Rotherham were on top in the first half but it was an opening period of few chances as the Millers' final ball too often lacked quality.

Carlton Morris headed over from Adam Thompson's right-wing cross early on and Chiedozie Ogbene failed to connect as the ball ran through his legs when he had a clear sight of goal in the 20th minute.

Matt Olosunde tried his luck from distance and gave Christy Pym an easy save before the home side missed a big opportunity to take the lead in the 38th minute.

Dan Barlaser swung over a 38th-minute corner but Thompson could only head a free header off target.

The division's top scorer, Ivan Toney, spurned an even easier chance for Peterborough three minutes later, heading Alex Woodyard's cross straight at Daniel Iversen when the goal was at his mercy.

Wood showed the Posh man how to do it five minutes after the break as the Millers made the breakthrough.

The defender, on as a substitute for Robertson, nodded home from close range, and there was another boost for the Millers soon after when Posh were reduced to ten men.

Central defender Frankie Kent, already on a yellow card, upended the charging Ogbene to bring his afternoon to a premature finish.

Rotherham made him and Peterborough pay in the 67th minute as Crooks raced through and his shot found the net with the aid of deflection from Rhys Bennett.

The Millers were cruising but Joe Mattock soured their afternoon by needlessly pushing his head into the face of Toney after a 73rd-minute tussle between the pair and becoming the second player to receive his matching orders, this time for a straight red.

That didn't stop Rotherham scoring again four minutes later and Wood was involved again as his header was turned in by Peterborough sub Joe Ward.

Subs Michael Smith, with a shot just too high, Vassell, who hit the post, and Wood, with a header, could have added to Rotherham's superiority as the final stages of the contest were played out in a festive atmosphere.

Deep in time added on, Vassell applied the perfect ending to the party, finding the net with stunning overhead kick for his first league strike for the club.

Rotherham (4-4-2): Daniel Iversen; Adam Thompson, Michael Ihiekwe, Clark Robertson (Richard Wood 27), Joe Mattock; Chiedozie Ogbene, Matt Crooks, Dan Barlaser, Matt Olosunde; Freddie Ladapo (Kyle Vassell 69), Carlton Morris (Michael Smith 76). Subs not used: Lewis Price, Ben Wiles, Jamie Lindsay, Jake Hastie.

Peterborough (4-4-2): Christy Pym; Niall Mason, Frankie Kent, Mark Beevers, Daniel Butler; Alex Woodyard, Louis Reed (Rhys Bennett 57), George Boyd, Harrison Burrows (Joe Ward H-T); Ricky-Jade Jones, Ivan Toney (Mo Eisa 82). Subs not used: Conor O'Malley, Sam Cartwright, Kyle Barker, Archie Jones.

Goals: Wood 50, Bennett og 67, Ward og 77, Vassell 90+3 (Rotherham).

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne and Wear).

Attendance: 9,019 (874).