MATCH REPORT: Millers outgunned by table toppers Wigan

Despite a sweetly struck early goal from David Ball, the Millers were second best for large parts of a 3-1 defeat against the new League One leaders.

The loss leaves Paul Warne’s side without a win in six league games and needing to snap out of their autumn dip.

READ: REACTION - "The best team to we've played at home," says Warne

The clash between two of the most prolific sides in the division always promised goals and it didn’t disappoint.

Attacking with width and skill, Wigan had the Millers clinging on several times in the first half and it was no surprise they were able to breach the home rearguard.

Will Grigg’s glancing header on 14 minutes from a whipped-in free-kick had them in front but Rotherham, showing five changes from the side which lost to Shrewsbury last week, mustered a quick response from one of the recalled players.

Ball, playing a supporting role to top scorer Kieffer Moore, cut inside and floated a beautiful effort into the far top corner.

Wigan promptly laid siege to the home goal and it took two reaction saves from Marek Rodak to keep them at bay before they regained the lead on 29 minutes. The returning Lee Frecklington shovelled a Max Power header off the line but the ball fell for Alex Bruce to hook in off a post.

Rotherham kept their visitors waiting at the start of the second half, taking extra time to receive instructions, but they were rocked back by a third goal on the hour. Michael Ihiekwe’s mistake left Will Grigg a clear run to goal and although Rodak rescued the situation by dashing out to save at feet, the ball broke for Michael Jacobs to rifle in hard and low.

The Millers huffed and puffed to try find a way back. Ryan Williams, Will Vaulks and Jerry Yates were introduced and Anthony Forde and Lee Frecklington went close. Richard Wood also nearly connected at the far post but it was all too little, too late.

The boos at the final whistle reflected the frustration in home ranks, although few could complain with the result or the quality of the opposition.

Millers: Rodak; Cummings, Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock; Towell (Williams 62), Potter (Vaulks 75), Frecklington, Forde; Ball (Yates 80); Moore

Wigan: Jones, Byrne, Morsy, Power, Evans, Grigg (Toney 78), Bruce, Jacobs, Dunkley, James, Colclough

Referee: Seb Stockbridge (Tyne and Wear)

Attendance: 8,443 (946 visitors)