Why Rotherham United manager Paul Warne acted at half-time in 1-1 draw with Reading

The Millers trailed 1-0 at the break at AESSEAL New York Stadium and the paucity of their first-half display left the boss with little option but to take action.

He brought off centre-half Richard Wood and forward Ryan Williams and replaced them with Clark Robertson and Jamie Proctor respectively.

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“I could have made ten changes at half-time," Warne said. “It was a disappointing first half and it wasn't like us. Without Marek (goalkeeper Rodak) we could have been out of the game.​

“We had a conversation at half-time. It just didn't feel like it was working. ​

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“I wasn't happy with anyone in the first half. I don't like taking people off at half-time but we had to change something.​"

The Millers applied the pressure after the interval, creating numerous chances, and left-back Joe Mattock poked the ball home in a goalmouth scramble in the 90th minute to keep his side in 20th spot, three points above the relegation zone. The Royals climbed a place to 21st.

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“We could not have been as bad in the second half as we were in the first. I am pleased with a point," Warne added.

“There was a real belief that we were going to get an equalising goal in the second period.

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“There was importance to this game because losing to them would have dragged us into a dogfight and would have given them a boost

"But there are loads of games to go. If we fall into the bottom three or four we will have to fight our way out.​

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“The second half was us. In the last 15 minutes it was, apart from the odd Reading counter-attack, us trying to get the goals."

On-the-whistle match report