Two important points thrown away ... on-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 2 Newport County 2
On a rainy night, some fans had stayed away
Rotherham United climbed out of the drop zone on a night when calamity defending cost them dear at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
The Millers were leading 2-1 in the second half and seeking to go further ahead this evening against Newport County as they had a flurry of attempts on goal soon after the interval.
But bad mistakes in quick succession from Jamie Jellis and Julian Eyestone set up the visitors from South Wales to level the scores.
Victory would have lifted Alex Bruce's men several places up the League Two table and, amazingly, to within five points of the play-off reckoning in a tight division.
In the end, they had to settle for 22nd spot as they halted a run of four straight defeats.
The feeling at the final whistle of a match that began in exhilarating fashion was one of frustration.
County, playing against Rotherham for the first time in 39 years, haven’t lost in their last nine matches but they have yet to win away on their league travels.
The Millers got off to a dream start and were two goals in front within 12 minutes.
Paul Mullin blasted in a fourth-minute penalty after Joe Thomas had handled the ball in his own area and then Aaron Nemane made the most of Jayce Fitzgerald's piercing pass, running in to despatch a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner.
It could have been even better because, between the strikes, Jellis missed the target from close range following good play by Kian Spence and Mullin.
Rotherham were proving to be far too quick and slick for Newport in the early stages and they looked a threat virtually every time they attacked.
The midfielders were mopping up most of the second balls and the crowd warmed to what they were witnessing.
On a rainy night, however, some fans had stayed away and there were plenty of empty seats around the ground.
The home team were pegged back just before the half-hour mark when Hamish Douglas was adjudged to have made a late challenge on Michael Adu-Poku and Harrison Biggins reduced the visitors' arrears with a spot-kick that just beat Eyestone's dive.
It was setback, but the Millers remained the more dangerous side up to the interval, with Fitzgerald and Spence excelling.
Boss Bruce had made four changes to the side that lost 2-0 last Saturday's at Fleetwood Town to drop into the bottom two.
Captain Joe Rafferty came in to add some experience at the back as the formation changed from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3, and there were starts for midfield duo Spence and Fitzgerald along with wide man Nemane who had all added some spark off the bench in that match.
In the Newport squad was former New York loanee Kion Etete after his debut goal in Town's 1-1 home draw with York City at the weekend.
The Welsh side were without five-goal top scorer Shaquille Gwengwe who was beginning a three-match ban for violent conduct against the Minstermen.
Spence lashed an effort just over the bar at the North Stand end soon after the restart and Rotherham came even closer to extending their lead in the 52nd minute.
First, Jordan Wright kept out Mullin's shot, then he produced a spectacular save to push away Dominic Iorfa's fierce follow-up.
Just two minutes later, the Millers were regretting not taking advantage of either sight of goal when they gifted County an equaliser.
Jellis needlessly gave away possession and Eyestone failed to hold on to a routine save, allowing Biggins to tuck away the loose ball.
Denzel Hall fired too high from Mullin's set-up as Rotherham tried to respond and Klaidi Lolos couldn't connect with Mullin's low cross right in front of goal.
They had a huge let-off late on when Kyle Cameron’s shot over the bar
Next up is Saturday’s clash with Shrewsbury Town when the Millers need to cut out the errors and make more use of home advantage.
Rotherham (4-3-2): Julian Eyestone; Joe Rafferty, Dominic Iorfa, Hamish Douglas, Denzel Hall Kieran Ngwenya 74) Kian Spence (Tom Bradshaw 86), Jayce Fitzgerald, Jamie Jellis; Aaron Nemane, Paul Mullin, Jili Buyabu (Klaidi Lolos 64). Subs not used: Ted Cann, Sonny Aljofree, Josh Austerfield, Brandon Cover.
Newport (3-4-2-1): Jordan Wright; Lee Jenkins, Kyle Cameron, Joe Thomas; Cameron Norman, Matt Dibley-Dias, Ciaran Brennan, Alfie Merritt (Matt Smith H-T); Michael Adu-Poku (Yahya Bamba 60), Harrison Biggins; Ged Garner (Kion Etete 60). Subs not used: Shaun MacDonald, Cameron Evans, Kieron Evans, Dan Sassi.
Goals: Mullin pen 4, Nemane 12 (Rotherham); Biggins pen 28, Biggins 54 (Newport)
Referee: Callum Jones (Cheshire)
Attendance: 6,524 (216)