Millers lose narrowly

A goal for the home team in the 15th minute at a breezy Alexandra Stadium made relegation an almost certainty for Rotherham United today.

It was a scrappy game, not helped by the windy conditions and a cut-up pitch, but until Darren Moss slotted the ball past 'keeper Neil Cutler from a Ryan Lowe corner, it was the Millers who had had most of the play. Stephen Brogan had the first shot at goal but hit the ball straight at goalkeeper Ben Williams followed a few minutes later by a cross from Jamie Yates that the goalkeeper managed to save.

The goal seem to knock the stuffing out of the Millers and it took them a little while to get back into the game and the best chance came just before the half hour mark when a Brogan corner found Ian Sharps whose firm header was well saved by a flying Williams. Towards the end of the half Brogan nearly made Gary Roberts pay for losing control of the ball but his shot was hurried and went harmlessly wide of the goal. The effort was there from the young Millers team and Mark Robins must have been slightly disappointed to go in at half-time one down.

Minutes into the second half, Brogan nearly brought the visitors level but ex Miller, Julien Baudet, hooked his shot of the line. Rodney Jack and Baudet himself could have put Alex further into the lead before Rotherham`s Liam King had a header saved. The Millers also had a penalty claim turned down when Rossi Jarvis seemed to be caught in the box by Baudet, but referee Mr Whitestone waved the appeal away. Anthony McNamee had brightened up the dull game all afternoon with his step overs and flicks and the decision by manager Dario Grady to take him off in the eighty-second minute was not greeted with approval by the home fans. For the final minutes Rotherham were restricted to shots from distance with Williams saving from King and substitute Paul Bignot blocking on the line from the same player. Crewe were hanging on at the end but the Millers didn`t seem to be sharp enough to get the ball in the back of the net.

Rotherham play Blackpool at home on Tuesday night - they have to get three points; they have to score goals.

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