Pre-season defeat for the Millers but don't blame Viktor Johansson ... on-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 0 Middlesbrough 2

Viktor Johansson's exploits in the 2022/23 campaign made him arguably the Championship's best goalkeeper and he was at it again to keep the score down in the home clash with Middlesbrough.

Boro, also of the second tier, were a class above the Millers who were indebted to their Swedish shot-stopper. His superb first-half display was the only reason Matt Taylor's men didn't find themselves much further behind.

With August 5 opening day not far away, Rotherham are in need of reinforcements, a state of affairs highlighted by the number of academy players they had on their bench.

The visitors took an early lead when Sammy Silvera and Hayden Coulson exchanged passes and the former slid the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Soon afterwards, Johansson had to react sharply to keep out a Morgan Rogers stinger as Boro made a fast start and was then called into action again when the same player got on the end of Hayden Hackney's low cross

On the newly-laid surface at AESSEAL New York Stadium, the Millers were struggling to find their feet against slick, inventive opponents who remained firmly on the attack.

Rotherham sparked into life in attack for the first time on 25 minutes and Ben Wiles, playing in a '10' role, split the defence with a pass and gave trialist Sullay Kaikai a big chance to impress. The winger cut inside and went for goal only to be denied by Coulson's block.

The match saw the battle of the old boys against their former clubs. In the Millers' corner were Grant Hall and Jordan Hugill who once graced the Riverside Stadium while in the Boro squad were Dan Barlaser and Matt Crooks who needed no introduction to home fans.

Johansson was the match's busiest player and the way he denied Silvera in a one-on-one on the stroke of half-time brought appreciative  applause from the home crowd, as did his contribution moments later when he kept out another Rogers effort.

By the interval, it was 1,000 passes by Boro and just the Kaikai opportunity for Taylor's side.

New boy Cafu had shown some lovely touches in the first half but, with work still required on his fitness, was rested in the second.

Boro had changed their entire team at the break and the Millers made a raft of substitutions midway through the second period as the match petered out into a scrappy affair.

Rotherham's youngsters were on the pitch but it was an oldie who prevented Boro extending their lead in the 72nd minute, Sean Morrison producing an acrobatic goalline clearance.

As the clock was ticking down, teenager Ben Hatton had a sight of an equaliser but fired his effort into the kop.

Then, on 87 minutes, Johansson was finally beaten again when Alex Gilbert slid the ball home to confirm the Millers' defeat.

Work to do for Rotherham. Yet another man-of-the-match award for their keeper.

Rotherham (3-5-1-1): Viktor Johansson; Cameron Humphreys (Hamid Seisay 70), Grant Hall (Sean Morrison 61), Tyler Blackett (Jake Hull 70); Sullay Kaikai (Hamish Douglas 70), Hakeem Odoffin (Jamie McCart 70), Ollie Rathbone (Leiwi Abraham 70), Cafu (Curtis Durose H-T), Cohen Bramall (Tolaji Bola 70); Ben Wiles (Ben Hatton 70); Jordan Hugill (Ciaran McGuckin 61). Subs not used: Dillon Phillips, Joel Holvey, George Giwa.

Middlesbrough first half (4-2-3-1): Senny Dieng; Tommy Smith, Rav van den Berg, Darragh Lenihan, Hayden Coulson; Dan Barlaser, Hayden Hackney; Izzy Jones, Martin Payero, Sammy Silvera; Morgan Rogers.

Middlesbrough second half (4-2-3-1): Tom Glover; Terrell Agyemang, Dael Fry, Jack Hannah, Sam Collins; Jack Stott, Cain Sykes; Marcus Forss, Matt Crooks (Alex Gilbert 70), Riley McGree; Matthew Hoppe. Subs not used: Bryant Bilongo, Jamie Jones.

Goals: Silvera 6, Gilbert 87 (Boro).

Referee: Tom Bramall (Sheffield).

Attendance: 2,017 (489).