Bowery strike puts Millers through

A first-half strike from Jordan Bowery separated the teams and secured a deserved victory and a place in the second round of the Capital One Cup.

Bowery was one of the four changes to the starting line-up from Saturday’s heavy Championship loss to MK Dons, alongside Lewis Buxton, Emmanuel Ledesma and Lee Frecklington.

Putting that setback behind them, the Millers looked more solid and confident, although they were made to work hard by Richard Money’s resilient visitors.

They threatened early on through Luke Berry and former Rotherham loanee Jordan Slew but had been forced back by the time the only goal arrived in first-half stoppage time.

The impressive Joe Newell swung in an inviting cross and Bowery was left with the simplest of headers.

The Millers carried their momentum into the second half and could have added to their lead, with Bowery and Frecklington going close before Matt Derbyshire brought a finger-tip save from Chris Dunn.

A desperate block also denied skipper Greg Halford in the quest for a second and on the only occasion goalkeeper Kelle Roos was tested in the second half, he excelled to deny another former Miller, Conor Newton.

Steve Evans’ men will now look to carry the good work forward to Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

Millers: Roos, Buxton (Richardson 76), Newell (Grant Ward 73), Halford, Collins, Ledesma, Frecklington, Smallwood, White, Bowery (Danny Ward 80), Derbyshire

 Cambridge: Dunn, Omuzusi, Taylor (Dunk 64), Keane, Roberts, Berry, Coulson, Simpson (Donaldson 64), Carr (Newton 64), Slew

Referee: Chris Sarginson (Staffs)

Attendance:  4,568 (408 visitors)