The start, the missed chance, the referee ... Steve Evans on Rotherham United's loss to Wrexham

Paul Mullin's early-bird strike cost the Millers dear as they went on to lose 1-0 at AESSEAL New York Stadium despite being the more dangerous team for much of the contest.

With the game having barely begun, Ryan Barnett crossed from the right for his teammate to direct the ball beyond goalkeeper Cameron Dawson.

"Straight from the kick-off, we don't compete for the first ball," Evans said. "It was launched forward. Then it's a good ball in, to be fair, and Mullin does what Mullin does.

"For five minutes, our boys put in a nervous performance, but then the game settled down.

"We had nearly 70 per cent possession, 17 goal attempts, numerous corners, numerous free-kicks."

Rotherham applied plenty of pressure and came closest to an equaliser after the break when Sam Nombe spurned a golden opportunity by turning and firing wide with the only the keeper to beat.

"There were big moments in the game, big chances," Evans saiid. "We think Joe Powell should have a penalty in the first half.

"Second half, we get a wonderful chance for Sam. He spins and ... strikers at the top level in this league score the goal and you're back in the game."

The loss against second-placed opposition ended the Millers' four-match unbeaten league run and dropped them down the table from 15th to 16th spot.

Man in the middle Ben Atkinson had a nightmare opening period and was booed off at the break by home supporters.

"There were numerous bad decisions, but it wasn't about the referee today," Evans said. "Wrexham have found a way to win a game that we should win."

Visiting manager Phil Parkinson said: "We want to test ourselves against the very best and this was always going to be a test. But we have come through with flying colours.

"Steve Evans' teams are always hard to play against. They are very organised and committed. You have to be good to beat one of his sides."