Paul Warne reacts to Rotherham United cup defeat

Ollie Rathbone on his full debut. Picture by Dave Poucher

ROTHERHAM United boss Paul Warne says he has "mixed emotions" after watching his side exit the Carabao Cup in the first round against Accrington Stanley tonight.

The manager was pleased to hand full debuts to four summer signings but was frustrated by the lack of quality in his side's display as they conceded a late goal to lose 2-1 at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

"We needed to get some minutes into the new lads," he said. "Some needed to get up to speed with how we play.

"I don't think we played great, obviously. Accrington dominated us significantly first half.

"We were a lot better second half and when we equalised I thought we were going to win it. I am disappointed to lose the game but we have to move on to the next one.

"I have mixed emotions, to be honest. We need to smarten up on a few things."

Centre-half Rarmani Edmonds-Green, midfielders Ollie Rathbone and Hakeem Odoffin and winger Shane Ferguson all made their first starts, with Warne describing Rathbone as "the stand-out performer" of the quartet.

Stanley took a 38th-minute lead but the Millers equalised with a superb Kieran Sadlier free-kick after the break and were going for a winner when the visitors struck again, against the run of play, in the 86th minute.

Accrington boss John Coleman said: "I was really pleased with the first half performance but disappointed that we invited them on in the second.

"We wanted to carry on in the same vein. It was a bit like a boxer on top not wanting to hear the bell.

"I thought we had weathered their storm. It's a great free-kick. We're disappointed it's gone in from that range but you have got to give them some credit."