Rotherham United boss Paul Warne reflects on tough workout against Parkgate

The Steelmen came back from 2-0 down at half time to level with goals from Freddie Tracey and Alex Rippon before a guided header from 16-year-old first-year scholar Josh Ayres and a calm finish from new signing Conor Washington settled the contest 4-2.

Tolaji Bola and Georgie Kelly netted Rotherham's first-half goals in front of a sell-out crowd at Roundwood.

Warne said: "Obviously I want football utopia. I want the lads to play well and not make any mistakes.

"We have butchered them this week but there are passing issues and timing issues and it's a dry pitch, but it was a good game.

"I always enjoy this fixture. The opposition were really good — that's the toughest game we have had against them. It looks like they have gone younger and fitter this time.

"I am not pleased with the goals we conceded but overall I am happy."

The Millers made nine changes at half time, with new signing Peter Kioso playing the first half and two other new arrivals Washington and Jamie McCart the second. Tom Eaves didn't feature. Warne's son, Mackenzie, was one of many youngsters who played.

"It was like the Harlem Globetrotters on the side of the pitch," said Warne. "Tom (Eaves) was tight, Chieo (Ogbene) and JJ (Kayode) have only just come back into the group and Wilsey still has a cast on his hand.

"You can see we have holes in the squad. We need a lot more strength in depth and it is our intention over the next couple of weeks to get another five or six pros in."

The first team squad flew out in the early hours for a pre-season training camp in Croatia which includes a match against Fleetwood Town behind closed doors on Thursday (7pm). Another planned fixture depends upon international clearance.

Millers 1st half:  Johansson; Kioso, Wood, Odoffin, Jenkinson;| Barlaser; Bola, Warne, Durose; McGuckin, Kelly.

Millers 2nd half: Chapman; Harding, Hull, McCart; McGuckin, Lindsay, Warne, Ferguson; Rathbone, Champion; Washington.