Millers let lead slip in defeat to Tigers

Richard Wood put the Millers into the lead, Jackson Irvine equalised and the visitors struck either side of half time to earned a two-goal advantage.

Jamie Proctor’s reply 15 minutes from time offered hope and despite a good finish, Paul Warne’s side had to swallow a 3-2 defeat at the hands of a team who were without a Championship win at the start of play.

The home line-up showed one change from Saturday’s defeat at Leeds, Semi Ajayi dropping back into defence in place of Sean Raggett, allowing QPR loanee Ryan Manning to come in for his debut.

Manning had a hand in the opening goal on 16 minutes, just moments after the Millers had survived a couple of scares. He swung in an inviting corner and Wood got in to power home a header,the strike  again showing Rotherham’s strength from set pieces.

The debutant also went close with a curler before Hull pulled level from a counter-attack on 28 minutes. Evandro fed Irvine and the former Burton was allowed too much time and space at the back post to slot home.

The goal lifted the visitors and similar to many Championship opponents,they saw much more of the ball and were then able to capitalise on another defensive lapse just before the break.

Eric Lichaj centered and when Rotherham failed to clear their lines, the ball dropped to Fraizer Campbell to apply a cute finish.

The goal left the Millers to chase the game in the second half and they were rocked back even further a couple minutes after the restart. Campbell was again involved, Jarrod Bowen helped the ball to the back post and Irvine tucked away his second of the night.

Trying to find a way back, Warne put on another forward in Kyle Vassell and then a third when Proctor joined the fray.

 The striker had been on the field only a few moments when he reduced the arrears on 75 minutes. Rotherham did well to work space down the right and Zak Vyner’s cross was met with a stooping header. For Proctor, returning from long-term injury, it was his fa league goal since May of last year.

Hulls’ pre-match nerves re-surfaced and they were left clinging on. Richard Wood slapped a free header wide and Semi Ajayi’s bicycle kick bounced clear before the big defender planted a header over from an inviting position in stoppage time.

The result leaves the Millers with one win from their opening four league games ahead of Sunday's visit from Millwall.

Millers: Rodak, Vyner, Mattock, Vaulks, Ajayi, Wood, Palmer (Proctor 73), Taylor (Vassell 56), Manning, Williams (Newell 56), Smith. 

Hull City: Marshall, Lichaj, De Wijs, Burke, Evandro (McKenzie 80), Irvine, Kane, Batty (Stewart  77), Bowen, Henriksen, Campbell (Keane 67). 

Referee: Jeremy Simpson

Attendance: 8,962 (1,225 visitors)