Player ratings and match stats from Rotherham United 2 Bolton Wanderers 2
Paul Davis gives his verdict on League One events at AESSEAL New York Stadium yesterday as the 22nd-placed Millers did battle with promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers.
Millers (3-5-2)
Ted Cann: 8
His best performance since taking the goalkeeper's jersey last month. Made good saves, key saves, and generally commanded his area. Growing in confidence. Great to see.
Lenny Agbaire: 6
Beaten too easily in the build-up to Bolton's equaliser but, otherwise, had a sound game.
Zak Jules: 7
One of his better displays. Decent on the ball - as he usually is - and added a layer of competitiveness to his game.
Jamal Baptiste: 6
Pretty solid until the visitors' leveller when his marking left something to be desired.
Joe Rafferty: 6
Seems to be becoming the fall guy. Often taken off early these days. The legs don't quite have the zip they once did, but he made a contribution in and out of possession during the hour or so he was on the pitch.
Brandon Cover: 6
Started quite brightly but then faded in an unfamiliar central-midfield role.
Joe Powell: 7
Asked questions and the visitors didn't always have answers. Always probing. His set-pieces were a mixed bag.
Ar'Jany Martha: 6
An enigma. Capable of so much but doesn't always deliver. Played one of the passes of the season to set up Sam Nombe's second goal and often showed up well in attack. But he was defensively found wanting, and ducking out of an header in the first half to avoid the risk of being hurt wasn't a good look.
Reece James: 6
Steady. Didn't stand out, didn't let anyone down.
Sam Nombe: 8
Scored twice and caused Bolton problems with his pace and persistence. Good to see him on the scoresheet again after a dry spell.
Harry Gray: 6
Quiet before the break, then livelier in the second half when he came close to a goal.
The subs
Josh Benson (for Rafferty 59): 6
Rotherham are a more dangerous side when he's on the pitch. Offered possibilities on the ball, despite a couple of wayward passes.
Duncan Watmore (for Martha 79): NA
Added some spark to the attack. Made things happen. A clever player.
Emmanuel Adegboyega (for Agbaire 89): NA
Involved for only a few minutes but managed to make a crucial stoppage-time intervention when his back-post presence prevented a Bolton winner.
Gabriele Biancheri (for Gray 89): NA
Living on scraps during his loan spell. Getting only a few minutes here and there.
Not used: Cameron Dawson, Lino Sousa, Jack Holmes.
Bolton (4-2-3-1): Jack Bonham 7; Jordi Osei-Tutu 7 (Cyrus Christie 67, 6), Chris Forino 7, George Johnston 6, Max Conway 7 (Rob Apter 79); Josh Sheehan 8, Ethan Erhahon 6 (Kyle Dempsey H-T, 7); Mason Burstow 5, Ruben Rodrigues 5 (Johnny Kenny H-T, 8), Corey Blackett-Taylor 7 (Thierry Gale 21, 6); Sam Dalby 6. Subs not used: David Harrington, Xavier Simons. Goals: Nombe 38, 42 (Rotherham); Forino 51, Dalby 83 (Bolton)
Referee: James Oldham (Derbyshire)
Attendance: 9,348 (2,067)
Opposition view
“It feels as if it's two points dropped. We should have scored early on. We got into dangerous areas but didn't find the right quality to go ahead. Then we made two errors for their goals and it put us on the back foot. We responded well. Second half, we were much better than them and created loads of opportunities. Our keeper had to make one good save in the second half. I'm disappointed we didn't win the game. It's frustrating.”
- Bolton boss Steven Schumacher
The stats
Possession: Millers 37 per cent, Bolton 63
Goal attempts: Millers 10, Bolton 19
On target: Millers 5, Bolton 10
Touches in opposition box: Millers 21, Bolton 31
Corners: Millers 8, Bolton 6
Fouls committed: Millers 14, Bolton 7
Final word
Could have been a great day, but that old failing of not being able to keep a lead bit Rotherham again.