Mullins to rescue for Millers

Mullins bundled the ball home from a David Noble cross in the 89th minute to peg the hosts back at 1-1 and stretch the Millers’ unbeaten run to five games.

It was a scrappy encounter which only came to life when Kevan Hurst had rifled the home side into a 73rd minute lead.

The Millers shaded the first half, with Daniel Nardiello going closest with a point-blanker header which goalkeeper Paul Smith tipped over the crossbar.

Nardiello pulled a decent chance wide of the near post after being freed by Kari Arnason, who was back in central defence for the afternoon, Rotherham were thankful to Andy Warrington for keeping the scores level just before half time when he stuck out a hand to keep out a low shot from Britt Assombalonga.

The same player forced Warrington to parry a header soon after the restart but there was little to excite the crowd until Hurst’s angled drive from 25 yards broke the deadlock.

Manager Steve Evans brought on Kayode Odejayi, Courtney Cameron and Jordan Slew to force an equaliser but it was Mullins, playing at right-back for the day, who saved the day.

Southend: Smith, Clohessy (capt), Straker, Cresswell, Prosser, Leonard, Hurst, Lund, Mayor (Corr 88), Mohsni, Assombalonga (Eastwood 90) HuHHhhhhjjHffffffffjfjfjfjfjddd

Millers: Warrington, Mullins (capt), Ridehalgh (Slew 89), Arnason, Davis,  Noble, Pringle (Cameron 78), O’Connor,  Nardiello,  Frecklington,  Revell (Odejayi 78)

Referee: Keith Hill

Attendance: 4,983 (302 away)