MATCH REPORT: Millers second best at Blackburn

ROTHERHAM United’s inability to transform their hot form to away matches continued in a convincing defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
By David Beddows
Published 26th Sep 2017, 21:45 BST
Updated 26th Sep 2017, 23:52 BST
Anthony Forde takes a punt at goal. Picture: STEVE METTAMAnthony Forde takes a punt at goal. Picture: STEVE METTAM
Anthony Forde takes a punt at goal. Picture: STEVE METTAM

Second best for most of the game, Paul Warne’s men went down 2-0 to a goal in each half from Marcus Antonsson and substitute Harry Chapman.

They were unrecognisable from the team which put five goals past Oldham on Saturday and the defeat was their fourth in five away league matches this term.

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Rotherham laboured throughout the first 45 minutes and could easily have turned around three or four goals down at half time.

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Their goal led a charmed life in the opening 20 minutes as Dominic Samuel twice clattered the woodwork, planting a header at the crossbar and then a drive against the inside of the post.

It was no surprise when Rovers went in front and, again, it was the Millers’ weakness at set pieces that did them yet again. A corner was swung in low and Antonsson stole in to meet it with a glancing header at the near post.

The goal didn’t stir Rotherham from their slumbers and it was down to young keeper Marek Rodak kept them in it with smart saves from Bradley Dack and Corry Evans.

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It took the Millers until the hour mark to force David Raya into his first serious save. Substitute Joe Mattock, who was an early replacement from the injured Ben Purrington, took a wicked punt from distance that the keeper did well to parry.

There were Rotherham protests when Wood had the ball in the net from a corner, only for the officials to rule that it had drifted out of play.

Blackburn left the door open to a comeback when Antonsson scooped over after seizing on a mistake from Michael Ihiekwe but finally made sure of the points on 84 minutes. Chapman cut in from the flank and although his first effort was blocked by Rodak, he buried the rebound.

The win takes Rovers above the Millers in the league table.

Rovers: Raya, Caddis, Williams, Smallwood, Mulgrew, Dack (Champman 70), Downing, Evans (Whittingham 74), Bennett, Antonsson, Samuel

Millers: Rodak; Vaulks, Purrington (Mattock 20), Ihiekwe, Wood; Forde (Towell 65), Potter, Frecklington, Newell (Yates 80), Williams; Moore.

Referee: Mark Heywood

Attendance: 10,228 (515 visitors)

Related topics:BlackburnPaul Warne