MATCH REPORT: Smallwood fires Millers to a rare point at Preston

The midfielder’s first Millers goal of the campaign raised early hopes of a rare away win until Stevie May equalised just before the break. The 1-1 draw was relegated Rotherham's first productive away day since taking a point at Ipswich in October but means they will end a league season without an away victory for the first time since 1932/33.

With Lee Frecklington returning to skipper the side and Jonson Clarke-Harris making his first start of the season, Paul Warne’s side played their part in a good first half.

They also had the clearer chances after Smallwood smashed them into a ninth minute lead with a sweet half volley from  the edge of the penalty area and should have gone into the break in front.

Jon Taylor, Richard Wood and Clarke-Harris all tested gaolkeeper Chris Maxwell and Tom Adeyemi, tucked in behind lone striker Clarke-Harris, also swiped at a decent chance. However the tricky Aiden McGeady was a nuisance for Preston and they had plenty of pressure before drawing level four minutes before half time with another good goal, bent into the top corner by one-time Millers transfer target  May.

The first action of the second half saw Adeyemi’s shot on the turn demand a one-handed save while Richard O’Donnell was nearly caught out by McGeady’s deep cross.

Clarke-Harris had a strong game before limping out of the action with 18 minutes to go and while determined at the back, the Millers’ attack were increasingly let down  by a poor final pass and they were relieved when sub Simon Makienok’s looping header hit the bar late on.

It was still a deserved  point though for a disciplined display and takes their tally to four from the last five matches.

Preston: Maxwell, Browning, Baptiste, Huntington, Spurr, Barkhuizen (, Browne, Johnson, McGeady, Hugill, May

Millers: O'Donnell; Fisher, Ajayi, Wood, Mattock; Vaulks, Smallwood, Frecklington, Taylor; Adeyemi, Clarke-Harris (Morris 72)

Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside)

Attendance: 11,032