Manning shoots down Rams as Lampard sees red

RYAN Manning was the match winner as Rotherham United took the scalp of Derby County in an all-action affair at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

RYAN Manning was the match winner as Rotherham United took the scalp of Derby County in an all-action battle at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The Millers turned in their best performance of the season to win 1-0 with a penalty midway through the second half by the on-loan QPR man as the Rams’ frustrations boiled over.

Either side of the goal Tom Lawrence saw red for a late challenge on Richie Towell and manager Frank Lampard was dismissed for striding along the touchline to complain to the referee’s assistant about a decision.

That all added to the delight of the home supporters who relished beating one of the Championship's biggest and wealthiest clubs.

All cameras were trained on Lampard in the away technical area before the action got underway and the much of the first half didn’t make comfortable viewing for the former England and Chelsea man as Rotherham took the initiative.

Michael Smith pulled a shot wide of the far post after being teed up by Ryan Williams and the Millers forced several set pieces, their only vice some poor deliveries.

It wasn’t until midway through the half that Derby tested Marek Rodak and the stopper, fresh from his goal-scoring heroics for Slovakia U21s in midweek, was equal to two piercing drives from Mason Mount and Tom Huddlestone.

Rotherham kept stacking up the chances. Richard Wood thumped a header into the ground and wide and Towell so nearly marked his return from Brighton with a goal from a dipping volley that Scott Carson proved equal to.

The half-time interval didn’t disrupt the Millers’ rhythm. Vassell stung the palms of Carson from distance and Semi Ajayi put a header wide before the match sparked to life in the 57th minute.

Lawrence, a former Millers loanee, saw red for a late challenge on Towell and Derby were only just digesting that blow when the breakthrough arrived six minutes later. Fikayo Tomori dragged down Smith close to goal, the referee’s assistant spotted it and after a consultating with him, referee Peter Bankes pointed to the spot.

Manning stepped up to coolly send Carson the wrong way to give the Millers the lead.

Stung by going behind, Derby played better with ten men but their frustrations spread to the touchline as Lampard lost his cool and was sent from the field of play. He had to watch the rest of the game from the directors’ box.

The visitors threw caution to the wind, as they had to, but Rotherham stood strong to preserve their lead, including through seven nerve-shredding minutes of stoppage time, before walking off to a standing ovation from the home supporters.

Millers: Rodak; Vyner, Ajayi, Wood, Mattock; Williams, Vaulks, Towell, Manning, Vassell; Smith

Derby: Carson, Forsyth, Tomori, Keogh, Mount, Jozefzoon, Johnson, Bogle, Huddlestone, Lawrence, Waghorn

Referee: Peter Bankes

Attendance: 10,707 (2,603 visitors)