Why Rotherham United manager Paul Warne acted at half-time in 1-1 draw with Reading

MANAGER Paul Warne says he was forced to make half-time changes before Rotherham United hit back in the dying seconds to secure a 1-1 Championship draw against Reading.

The Millers trailed 1-0 at the break at AESSEAL New York Stadium and the paucity of their first-half display left the boss with little option but to take action.

He brought off centre-half Richard Wood and forward Ryan Williams and replaced them with Clark Robertson and Jamie Proctor respectively.

“I could have made ten changes at half-time," Warne said. “It was a disappointing first half and it wasn't like us. Without Marek (goalkeeper Rodak) we could have been out of the game.

“We had a conversation at half-time. It just didn't feel like it was working.

“I wasn't happy with anyone in the first half. I don't like taking people off at half-time but we had to change something."

The Millers applied the pressure after the interval, creating numerous chances, and left-back Joe Mattock poked the ball home in a goalmouth scramble in the 90th minute to keep his side in 20th spot, three points above the relegation zone. The Royals climbed a place to 21st.

“We could not have been as bad in the second half as we were in the first. I am pleased with a point," Warne added.

“There was a real belief that we were going to get an equalising goal in the second period.

“There was importance to this game because losing to them would have dragged us into a dogfight and would have given them a boost

"But there are loads of games to go. If we fall into the bottom three or four we will have to fight our way out.

“The second half was us. In the last 15 minutes it was, apart from the odd Reading counter-attack, us trying to get the goals."

On-the-whistle match report