Boxing Day setback for Millers

After Saturday's postponed game at Bristol Rovers robbed them of a chance to break into the top three, the Millers went down 2-1 to top-end rivals Port Vale yesterday in front of a Boxing Day crowd of more than 10,500 at the New York Stadium

Second-half goals from Louis Dodds and ex-Miller Tom Pope put the visitors in charge and although substitute Kieran Agard pulled one back with seven minutes to go, it was too late to rescue the game.

Assistant manager Paul Raynor said: "Port Vale came with a game plan to soak up the pressure sitting deep and hit us on the break and they had two opportunities and punished us.

"Aside from that we didn't really do enough in possession. We had a lot of it but didn't create the chances it warranted.

"We didn't play with the spark we have had in recent weeks and you have to give Port Vale credit for that."

The result left the Millers sixth in the table, five points off third-placed Cheltenham Town but with a game in hand, ahead of Saturday's home date against Accrington Stanley.