The unexpected error, the flags, George Hirst, what might have been and the lack of Carlsberg ... the story of Rotherham United 0 Millwall 1

His disappointment and frustration were evident. More than anything, he looked angry with himself.

You had to feel sorry for Michael Ihiekwe.

The centre-half has been Rotherham United's standout performer for more than a year and seven days earlier had struck in the dying seconds at Wycombe Wanderers to earn the Millers three points on Championship opening day.

Now, in the first home game of the campaign, against Millwall, his rare blunder had been the game-changing moment.

Hero one week, villain the next.

Teammate Shaun MacDonald chatted with the media afterwards and reflected: "A week's a long time in football? A day's a long time in football."

A few days after the club announced an AESSEAL New York Stadium tie-in with Carlsberg, Rotherham played well and didn't deserve to lose, but this is what happens in the second tier when you don't make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

"The lads can take loads of confidence from the game," said manager Paul Warne whose team were 15th in the fledgling table on Saturday night. "We had some really outstanding performances, but it is about taking chances.

Paul Warne at the final whistle

"You don't get many chances in the Championship to score. Unfortunately we gave them theirs. From a performance point of view and how much the lads gave for the club, I can't be prouder."

Millers staff and players gathered round and protected one of their own.

"I think it's just unlucky," said MacDonald in his lilting Welsh accent. "We all make mistakes so there is no blame on Icky whatsoever. He's been our leader.

"He was unbelievable last year and scored the goal that got us the win last week. Icky is a great lad and a great player. He'll be fine for next week."

THE MATCH

WITHOUT supporters New York was an empty, echoing arena, but there were reminders of how much football means to fans and how much fans mean to football.

Flags were draped in the East Stand either side of the halfway line proclaiming their Rotherham allegiances.

Back in town 2012, Take My Hand, Deano was Rotherham til he died, Kimberworth Millers were out in force, Shep was there, the NHS got a red-and-white mention.

There were more than 20 in total. The S66 Millers on Tour, Smithy & Hunty. At least, I think it was Smithy & Hunty.  I was on the other side of the pitch and my eyes aren't what they used to be.

Fans' flags at New York

Warne and number two Richie Barker were sipping tea on the touchline as the contest kicked off. There was no sugar in either carton, but what they witnessed in the first half was pretty sweet.

It was physical, fast and hard-fought and the Millers had the best of it. Freddie Ladapo should have done better than skew his 20th-minute shot wide after a good link-up down the right - not for the first or last time - between Wes Harding and Chiedozie Ogbene.

Kieran Sadlier might have scored had he connected better with his low shot after half an hour while Michael Smith got his header all wrong in front of goal on the stroke of half-time.

"Freddie had a good chance. Smudge did as well," Warne said.

The wind was up, rattling the tape keeping parts of the Covid-secure stadium off limits, but the weather played no part in the disaster that unfolded five minutes after the break.

Ihiekwe swung and hit fresh air, the ball squirming under his foot and gifting Jed Wallace a clear run at goal. Midfielder Wallace topped the Championship rankings last term for combined goals and assists and needed no help yet goalkeeper Jamal Blackman offered it anyway.

Icky will accept all of the blame for the empty-net tap-in, but if Carlsberg did ill-judged runs out of goal ...

"Icky won the game for us last week," Warne said. "Mistakes are going to happen. It is just a pity it is pivotal to the result. If it had ended up being 2-1 or something and we lost, it wouldn't be so hard for him. He is a strong lad. He will be all right.

"I thought Millwall started better than us in the second half, which was disappointing. They got the goal and we tried to make subs to change it.

"I thought the game was played with a real tempo. It's a pity the fans aren't in to watch it. In the end, we asked a few questions but not enough to create a gilt-edged chance.

"We had loads where the ball had fallen back, the player shot and you were waiting for the net to ripple."

Wallace could have doubled the Lions' advantage on 59 minutes but shot just past the post before the Millers, playing towards the North Stand, launched their 20-minute bombardment of the opposition penalty area in search of an equaliser.

An Angus MacDonald header and a Joe Mattock shot brought saves from Bartosz Bialowski while George Hirst's effort was on target until a stunning block ended its fierce trajectory.

By the end there had been 38 'points of entry' into the Millwall box: cross after cross from Rotherham, header after header by the visitors' three centre-halves.

"There are some pretty tired foreheads in our dressing room," said Lions manager Gary Rowett.

Chairman Tony Stewart arrives

The Millers had played better against a side that Warne is tipping to repeat their top-eight finish of last season than they had in victory over Wycombe.

"It sounds odd, but I am happier this week than last," the home boss said. "I know it's about results. However, I thought our performance was really good. On another day, we could have won it. Millwall defended our crosses really well.

"I tip my hat to them because they didn't give us clear-cut opportunities. There was always competition for the ball. We put enough crosses in to score but it wasn't to be."

The first fixture of the coronavirus era at New York was a strange affair, with every room seemingly being used for a different purpose to normal.

The media suite had become part of the away dressing room and the players' lounge was the new interview area while the matchday programme was delivered via email.

Strangest of all was an Ihiekwe mistake.

GEORGE HIRST

There was a flash of an orange boot and the ball was suddenly arrowing goalwards. Only a superb intervention from an opponent deprived Hirst of a dream debut.

The young loan striker from Leicester City was confident enough to take the number-9 shirt and looked sharp after coming on as a 66th-minute sub.

George Hirst makes his debut

Taller than you think, faster than you'd expect, he took up good positions and made clever runs, showing the kind of touch and game-intelligence you can't coach.

Another debutant, central defender Angus MacDonald, couldn't have been more solid.

"Angus was virtually faultless and you can see why I brought George to the club," Warne said. "He needs to get used to how we play. He has trained for only two days but I think he is a brilliant acquisition.

"Every time the ball goes into him you think something is going to happen. His movement is really quick. He is mature as a player and person and I think he will be great."

Meanwhile, as he left the field Ihiekwe was given a consoling pat by keeper coach Andy Warrington. It had little effect.

The player couldn't even drown his sorrows in Carlsberg because the New York bars aren't open in these coronavirus times.

Would Rotherham have got a draw or even a win without that 50th-minute incident?

Probably.

Goals: Wallace 50 (Millwall).

Rotherham (4-4-2): Jamal Blackman; Wes Harding, Michael Ihiekwe, Angus MacDonald, Joe Mattock; Chiedozie Ogbene, Shaun MacDonald, Jamie Lindsay (Matt Crooks 76), Kieran Sadlier (Ben Wiles 66); Freddie Ladapo (George Hirst 66), Michael Smith. Subs not used: Viktor Johansson, Richard Wood, Mickel Miller, Kyle Vassell.

Millwall (3-5-2): Bartosz Bialowski; Shaun Hutchinson, Alex Pearce, Jake Cooper; Mahlon Romeo (Shaun Williams 74), Ryan Leonard, Ryan Woods, Jed Wallace, Scott Malone  (Murray Wallace 74); Tom Bradshaw, Mason Bennett (Matt Smith 82). Subs not used: Joe Wright, Shane Ferguson, Connor Mahoney, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.

Referee: Leigh Doughty (Blackpool).