Hope turns to gloom ... on-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 0 Cardiff City 3

Rotherham United had gone three matches unbeaten and four deadline-day arrivals had lifted spirits at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

But the Millers fell tamely against 10-man opposition to slip to next to bottom in League One, and there were boos at the final whistle.

Granted, leaders Cardiff City are the best team to come to S60 this season. But they should have been tested far more than they were as they played most of the contest at a numerical disadvantage.

Eleven v 11, the match has been fairly even in the early stages. 11 v 10, Rotherham lacked initiative and spark and were hugely second best.

Before the start, there were emotional scenes when former boss Ronnie Moore was officially recognised as the club's greatest-ever manager in a presentation made on the pitch by chairman Tony Stewart.

The man known as ‘The King’, who is battling cancer, received more than a piece of silverware to cherish - he was also given a rousing, heartfelt ovation by fans that will have meant just as much to him.

An even start brought no real chances for two sides who were both eager to attack.

The first scoring attempt didn't come until the 19th minute when City's Omari Kelllyman directed a first-time shot just wide.

Soon afterwards, the visitors found themselves down to ten men as Harry Gray got away from Ryan Wintle who, as the last man, resorted to illegal means to halt the teenager's run on goal.

Cardiff continued to probe and find space on both flanks, however, and Perry Ng brought out the best in goalkeeper Cameron Dawson with a fiercely-struck 30-yarder.

The match had kicked off 60 seconds late in recognition of the EFL's ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign to encourage more people to learn how to administer CPR treatment.

More than half an hour later, Rotherham still hadn't troubled Bluebirds keeper Nathan Trott and simply weren't making their extra player count.

The Millers put together a flurry off attacks as the break approached but found themselves behind in the 42nd minute when Kellyman beat Dawson's outstretched left arm and found the bottom corner.

Gray nodded towards goal right on half-time when Reece James cross was deflected into his path and saw his header blocked inches from the goalline and then couldn't beat Trott when he was clean through.

Manager Matt Hamshaw had made one change to the side that had started last weekend's 4-0 triumph at Exeter City, replacing the injured Dan Gore with Emmanuel Adeyboyega.

Three of the four deadline-day signings - Duncan Watmore, Gabriele Biancheri and Brandon Cover - were named on a strong bench.

Missing for the visitors were top scorer Yousef Salech and another key man, Rubin Colwill.

The interval brought two substitutions, with Cover coming on for his debut in midfield, and a switch to four at the back.

Ar'Jany Martha was also introduced, with Joe Rafferty and Joe Powell departing.

Cover looked lively but Rotherham could still find no way through the depleted opposition ranks and matters grew even worse on 58 minutes when the home team played themselves into trouble and Chris Willock had all the time in the world to poke home a second City goal.

Biancheri became a second debutant but there was little encouragement for the home crowd as Cardiff saw out the game with little trouble.

New boy Watmore had entered the fray for the Millers before City rubbed salt into home wounds in the fifth minute of added time when Isaak Davies scampered half the length of the pitch without much in the way of a challenge and slipped the ball past Dawson.

The final whistle brought a tenth straight game without loss for the table-toppers.

For Rotherham, it brought only deepening concern about a long-term relegation scrap.

Rotherham (3-5-2): Cameron Dawson; Emmanuel Adeboyega (Gabriele Biancheri 65), Zak Jules, Jamal Baptiste; Joe Rafferty (Brandon Cover H-T), Kian Spence (Dru Yearwood 74), Shaun McWilliams, Joe Powell (Ar'Jany Martha H-T), Reece James; Sam Nombe, Harry Gray (Duncan Watmore 90+2). Subs not used: Ted Cann, Lenny Agbaire.

Cardiff (4-1-4-1): Nathan Trott; Perry Ng, Will Fish, Gabriel Osho (Calum Chambers 90), Joel Bagan, Ryan Wintle; Ollie Tanner (Isaak Davies 76), Joel Colwill, Alex Robertson (Ronan Kpakio 76), Chris Willock (Cian Ashford 64); Omari Kellyman (David Turnbull 64). Subs not used: Calum Scanlon, Callum Robinson.

Goals: Kellyman 42, Willock 58, Davies 90+5 (Cardiff)

Red card: Wintle 20 (Cardiff)

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge (Tyne and Wear)

Attendance: 8,786 (1,395)