Millers outdone by Fulham

Two goals in the first 15 minutes from ex-Miller Ben Pringle and Ross McCormack set the visitors on the way to their first three-pointer of the season and although Jonson Clarke-Harris replied, sub Cauley Woodrow capped a bad afternoon with a third goal in stoppage time.

Back at the New York  for the first time since his summer switch to Craven Cottage, Pringle gleefully tapped in the first after seven minutes when Adam Collin could only parry Moussa Dembele’s header.

McCormack forced a good block from Collin but wasn’t to be denied on 15 minutes. Greg Halford brought down James Husband and last year’s £11 million signing from Leeds scored from the penalty spot.

While Paul Green had an effort ruled out for offside and there was a big appeal for a penalty when Clarke-Harris went down under a challenge, Rotherham could have no complaints with the half-time score as they struggled to stitch together any coherent attacks.

Steve Evans brought on Aidy White and Grant Ward at half time but there was still a lack of inspiration going forward and a chance to pull a goal back was spurned nine minutes after the restart.

Jazz Richards felled Paul Green but the resulting penalty from Derbyshire was too weak and Andy Lonergan dive to his right to palm it away.

The miss seemed to knock the home players and only the crossbar stopped McCormack increasing the damage just past the hour mark.

They needed a break and they got it 18 minutes from time. Clarke-Harris seized on a loose ball and advanced to unleash a ferocious effort that low past Lonergan.

The expected push for an equaliser never materialised and the issue was put beyond doubt when Woodrow swept the ball in from close range to leave the Millers win-less from their first five league games.

Millers: Collin, Buxton, Richardson (Ledesma 53), Halford, Collins, Maguire (Ward 46), Green, Smallwood, Newell (White 46), Clarke-Harris, Derbyshire

Fulham: Lonergan, Richards, Ream, Tunnicliffe, Dembele (Woodrow 76), O’Hara, Pringle, Husband, Burn, Cairney, McCormack (Christensen 82)

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Tyne and Wear)

Attendance: 8,839 (704 visitors)