Warne pleased as Millers east past Mariners

MICHAEL Smith put in another statement performance as he scored twice as the Millers beat Grimsby Town 3-1 in a closed doors friendly at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Smith continued his good pre-season by taking his tally to five and putting him slap-bang in Paul Warne's thinking as the manager looks at his permutations for the opening day clash at Brentford a week on Saturday. 

Smith netted twice and Jon Taylor added the other as Rotherham came from behind to win.

New man Billy Jones was given his first run-out while striker Jamie Proctor also made a tentative comeback after nearly a year out through injury.

The game had to be played behind closed doors because of policing issues.

Said a pleased Warne: "All the senior professionals played 60 minutes and some like Will Vaulks played more. We weren't as sharp or as zippy as I would like but but we were really pleased with the performances, and we are now just trying to get them sharper as the days go on. 

"It was good to see Smudge get a couple of goals, and Taylor did really well and got a goal to cap a good performance.

“It was good for the new lads to get used to the surroundings here, and the three young first-year professionals Akeem Hinds, Reece McGinley and Joshua Kayode all did well."

The Millers now step it up on Wednesday night when Neil Warnock's Cardiff City are the visitors (7.45pm).