Millers fall at first hurdle

A goal at the end of each half from Mustapha Carayol and Souleymane  Doukara ensured a 2-0 win for the hosts and revenge for ex Millers boss Steve Evans for the league defeat on the same ground in November.

Aiming to reach the fourth round for the first time in 14 years, the Millers competed well in a scrappy tie but didn’t show enough in attack.

With new signing, Tunisian central defender Aymen Belaid in the back four, they repelled Leeds’ pressure in the first half but hardly threatened at the other end.

Lee Camp was tested just once from a Sam Byram header but was beaten by a stunning strike in the last minute of the half. Carayol, on loan from Middlesbrough, took possession on the left and despatched a bullet of a shot that flew over Camp and in. It was Carayol’s second goal against Rotherham this season, the midfield man also netting in the loss at Huddersfield a couple of months ago.

The second half was played in driving rain and followed a similar pattern, with little between the teams and attacks breaking down in the final third. Liam Cooper had a header saved for the hosts and substitute Emmanuel Ledesma, given a rare chance to prove himself, forced a finger-tip save from distance at the other end.

Leeds got back on top in the latter stages and Mirco Antenucci had an overhead kick blocked and sub Stuart Dallas clobbered the woodwork before an embarrassing second goal killed the tie.

Frazer Richardson and Camp got in a mix-up when dealing with a ball forward and a grateful Doukara pounced to roll the ball into an empty net.

All energies can now be focused on the Championship survival battle which continues at home to Brighton on Tuesday

 Millers: Camp, Richardson, Mattock, Broadfoot, Belaid, Facey (Clarke-Harris 46), Smallwood, Green, Newell, Grant Ward (Derbyshire 78), Danny Ward (Ledesma 57)

Referee: Andy Woolmer

Attendance: 16,039