Player ratings and match stats from Fleetwood Town 2 Rotherham United 0

Paul Davis gives his verdict on events at Highbury Stadium on Saturday when a fourth straight loss left the visitors in a relegation spot in League Two.

Millers (3-5-2)

Julian Eyestone: 6

Made a fine first-half save and generally handled well. This loss wasn't on him in any way.

Dominic Iorfa: 7

Made ground out of defence several times with long-striding runs to get the Millers on the attack.

Sonny Aljofree: 5

Having a little drop in form following his excellent start to the campaign. Didn't physically impose himself on the opposition and most of his long balls out of defence didn't find a teammate.

Hamish Douglas: 5

Kept things simple. Competed. Got and gave the ball. Needs more game time to get up to speed. Played out of position on the left of a back three.

Denzel Hall: 6

Not at his best but his class still shone through on occasion. Pretty effective defensively, less prominent in attack. Looked frustrated by what was going on.

Josh Austerfield: 4

Part of a midfield that was second best to the home side's. Fleetwood passed and scurried through their way through that area of the pitch. Hit one or two decent passes, but this was a poorer display from a player who has made an impact since his arrival.

Brandon Cover: 4

Ran around. Struggled to get involved.

Jamie Jellis: 4

Fought hard and put in tackles but his touch has yet to return after seven weeks out injured.

Jili Buyabu: 6

Had the beating of his man on the left flank. However, he didn't take him on enough over the course of the match. Very threatening in a second-half Millers burst when the visitors were pushing for an equaliser.

Paul Mullin: 4

Never gave up in a game where he was starved of service. Get the ball to him in the penalty area and he'll score.

Tom Bradshaw: 3

Still searching for his first Rotherham goal in open play. He's an honest trier, but things aren't happening for him at the moment. Never really troubled the Fleetwood backline and was one of four men taken off very soon after the break.

The subs

Aaron Nemane (for Aljofree 53): 6

One of a quarter of substitutes that immediately gave Rotherham some spark and put the home team on the back foot for a 20-minute spell in the second half.

Kian Spence (for Austerfield 53): 6

A 'ratter' and a runner who also has some quality to his game. It's a surprise to me that he's on the bench.

Jayce Fitzgerald (for Cover 53): 7

Stated his claim for a starting role. Good on the ball, dribbled round opponents and always looked to attack.

Klaidi Lolos (for Bradshaw 53): 6

A couple of encouraging signs on his long-awaited debut delayed by injury. Showed a deft touch and also got up well for headers. Came very close to a leveller.

Not used: Ted Cann, Joe Rafferty, Kieran Ngwenya.

Fleetwood (3-5-2): Jay Lynch 6; Shaun Rooney 7, Rhys Bennett 7, Finley Potter 7; Lewis McCann 7, Adam Murphy 6 (Crispin McLean 77), Mark Helm 7 (Conor Haughey 84), Harrison Neal 6, Jake Batty 7; Ched Evans 5 (Will Davies 65, 6), Ronan Coughlan 8 (Raff Cirino 84). Subs not used: James Pradic, Aaron Loupalo-Bi, Josh Robertson.

Goals: Rooney 46, Coughlan 80 (Fleetwood)

Referee: Steven Copeland (Merseyside)

Attendance: 3,084 (728)

Opposition view

“I thought we were in control for large parts of the game. We talked in the week about making small spells into large spells, and we did that today.

“I was really pleased with the composure we showed in both boxes. I was pleased with the chances we created and I thought we defended really well, which is evidenced by the clean sheet.

“They sat off us in the first half, and that makes it hard to create chances. We got in at half-time and said to each other that it was important to get the fans off their seats, create a reaction out of them and bring the game alive a bit. Obviously, getting a goal immediately massively helped with that.

“Half past twelve is a weird time to play football and often it creates a lull, so it is really important to get on the front foot and get the fans involved to create an atmosphere. I felt we did that excellently in the second half.”

- Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor

The stats

Possession: Fleetwood 54 per cent, Millers 46

Goal attempts: Fleetwood 15, Millers 8

On target: Fleetwood 5, Millers 1

Touches in opposition box: Fleetwood 24, Millers 10

Corners: Fleetwood 9, Millers 6

Fouls committed: Fleetwood 9, Millers 14

Final word

A lack of steel, a deserved defeat and a very worrying league position.