Warne's Millers fall at Burton

CARETAKER boss Paul Warne was unable to halt Rotherham United’s dismal Championship form as they slipped to a damaging defeat at fellow strugglers Burton Albion.

The hosts struck once in each half to go 2-0 up and although Tom Adeyemi replied in stoppage time, it was too  late to prevent the Millers’ run without a win stretching to 15 games. Just as importantly, 15 points now separate them from the Brewers and the gap to safety is 13 points.

Taking charge of his first game since the shock resignation of Kenny Jackett, Warne handed a full league debut to goalkeeper Lewis Price and made four changes to his outfield. Even though he saw his side have brief openings in  the first half, with Jon Taylor going close and Izzy Brown putting a scorable header wide, Burton’s power and movement caused problems for the division’s leakiest defence throughout.

The home side when in front on 15 minutes when ex-Miller Chris O’Grady, a focal point for many of their attacks, had a shot blocked and Jackson Irvine rattled in the loose ball from 18 yards.

Price’s finger tips denied O’Grady and even after a half time pep talk from Warne, the Millers couldn’t raise themselves, underlining the deep problems the stand-in manager has inherited.

Joe Mattock slapped a 20-yarder at Jon McLaughlin but the deficit was doubled just after the hour through Matt Palmer’s arcing volley into the top corner.

Rotherham huffed and puffed with little success, their consolation coming when Adeyemi hooked in Brown's cross off virtually the last kick.

Burton: McLaughlin, Brayford, Mousinho, Turner, Atkins, Palmer, Naylor, Palmer, Irvine, O’Grady, Dyer

Millers: Price, Fisher, Mattock, Wood, Ball, Taylor (Yates 67), Adeyemi, Vaulks, Forde (Newell 67), Brown, Ward

 Referee: Chris Kavanagh

Attendance: 4,446