Player ratings and match stats from Bradford City 1 Rotherham United 0

Millers (3-5-2)

Ted Cann: 6

Overcame a nervy first few minutes to do himself justice on the first league appearance of his career. Almost made himself the headline act in stoppage time but his header from a corner went just wide.

Joe Rafferty: 6

Put in a steady, committed shift.

Emmanuel Adegboyega (Lenny Agbaire 87): 7

It wasn't always pretty and he had a couple of let-offs, but he was generally fairly effective.

Jamal Baptiste: 7

Similar to Adegboyega, really, although he was easier on the eye. The home side didn't have too many real sights of goal.

Brandon Cover (Ar'Jany Martha 74): 4

A tough night. He doesn't have much senior experience and this was a difficult but valuable learning experience. He switched off for Bradford's winner. It was a great header from Matt Pennington, but the cross should never have been allowed to come in.

Kian Spence (Duncan Watmore H-T): 5

Battled and ran well, but his distribution was poor, and it looks like he's picked up the latest of several injuries this season.

Dru Yearwood (Liam Kelly 54): 7

One of his best displays since his summer arrival. Lively. Got on the ball and tried to do something with it as he drove forward.

Josh Benson (Gabriele Biancheri 87): 7

The Millers' most dangerous player. Clever in possession. His threat diminished when he had to play deeper in the second half. Had been picking out good pockets of space just behind the front two until then.

Reece James: 6

Beaten all ends up by Pennington at the back post for the goal. Otherwise, he was generally sound.

Sam Nombe: 5

No lack of effort. Ran hard, but didn't ask as many questions of an opposing defence as he usually does.

Harry Gray: 6

Flashes of the player the 17-year-old is going to be. Needed to see more of the ball.

The subs

Duncan Watmore (for Spence H-T): 5

Not involved enough as Rotherham worked hard in the second half without creating much.

Liam Kelly (for Yearwood 54): 6

Quietly did the job that was asked of him in his first outing for a month. Calm in tight areas.

Ar'Jany Martha (for Cover 74): NA

Better than he has been in recent matches. However, the Millers still need more from him.

Lenny Agbaire (for Adegboyega 87): NA

Managed to pack in a couple of good contributions and one dodgy one in his brief cameo.

Gabriele Biancheri (for Benson 87): NA

The loanee has yet to get enough minutes to show what he can do.

Not used: Cameron Dawson, Lino Sousa.

Bradford (3-4-2-1): Sam Walker 6; Matt Pennington 8, Aden Baldwin 8, Curtis Tilt 9; Josh Neufville 6, Jenson Metcalfe 7, Max Power 7, Tyreik Wright; 6 Bobby Pointon (6 Joe Wright 90+5) , Antoni Sarcevic 5; Kayden Jackson (5 Ethan Wheatley 24, 4, Stephen Humphrys 74). Subs not used: Joe Hilton, Ibou Touray, Lee Evans, Paul Mullin.

Goals: Pennington 10 (Bradford)

Referee: Martin Woods

Attendance: 18,187 (563)

Opposition view

“I thought both teams competed really well and I thought we had the better chances. The goal, which was a fantastic header from Penno.

“Rotherham worked exceptionally hard and made it difficult for us; they competed well all the way through the game.

“They got a couple of set-pieces at the end and the last one falls to their keeper, and you are just hoping that you get that little bit of luck when you need it.

“The general performance was not champagne football, but it is a local derby, and it is a really important three points at this stage of the season.

“I thought the back three defended really well, but, then, so did everyone. The connection through the team was excellent.”

- Bantams boss Graham Alexander

The stats

Possession: Bradford 48 per cent, Millers 52

Goal attempts: Bradford 14, Millers 7

On target: Bradford 3, Millers 0

Touches in opposition box: Bradford 22, Millers 16

Corners: Bradford 6, Millers 7

Fouls committed: Bradford 13, Millers 13

Final word

Not enough from the visitors in the final third.