Rotherham United

Rotherham United got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Torquay United at Plainmoor. Alex Revell added a fine second goal for the Millers after Lee Frecklington had put the Millers ahead. Billy Bodin’s 90th minute penalty was little more than a consolation, especially when Kayode Odejayi got a third goal direct from the restart.

Boss Steve Evans was forced into two changes to the team that slipped to defeat at Burton Albion, but made a total of five altogether, to help the Millers pick up their second win away from home in 2013. 

Daniel Kearns made his first start in Millers red, whilst Kieran Agard, Revell and Frecklington returned to the team. Meanwhile, Claude Davis returned to the heart of the defence with Jonny Mullins, allowing Kari Arnason to step forward into midfield. 

The first moment of danger for the Millers came 10 minutes in, when after some pressure themselves, Kevin Nicholson’s inswinging centre bounced just wide of Andy Warrington’s left-hand post after narrowly evading Lee Mansell and Billy Bodin. 

On 20 minutes, Nicholson again proved the danger, this time going for goal himself when making an excellent overlapping run. The full-back got on the end of Bodin’s pass before seeing his shot deflected just over by the retreating Agard, Moments later It was Warrington punching over after Lee Mansell’s goalbound volley flew through a number of bodies. 

Warrington again had to be alert shortly after as Mansell went close on the half-hour mark. The midfielder found space in the area and when he fired a shot goalwards, the Millers stopper made a fine reaction stop; just as he did deep into the six minutes of first-half stoppage-time after a Bodin breakaway. 

However, there was still time for Agard to go close at the other end, finding space on the right and testing Michael Poke for the first time in the game. 

Torquay made a change at the break, but it was the Millers who found the back of the net within a minute. The goal that was so well guarded by Warrington was penetrated after a mistake by Poke. Frecklington received a pass which sat up on a poor surface, but the midfielder took a wonderful touch before firing at the ‘keeper who fumbled the ball into the net. 

With neither side able to take a firm grip on the game, a routine ball forward by Ridehalgh saw a role reversal as Nardiello flicked on for Revell who raced clear of Aaron Downes before firing left-footed beyond Poke to double the Millers’ lead and bag his first goal since October 20th. 

The Gulls introduced Lloyd Macklin who almost had an immediate impact on 65 minutes but for a crucial goalline clearance by Bradley. However, the Millers got back on top and could have been three goals ahead when Agard was felled by Downes after a good counter-attack. Arnason took charge of the free-kick from 20 yards which Poke could only beat away.

It could and really should have been three as the game entered the final three minutes of normal time. A fluid move saw Frecklington in acres of space on the right-hand side of the area but as he chose to square the ball to Jordan Slew rather than shoot he caught the young striker unawares and the ball bounced clear of him with the goal gaping. 

They were soon punished and as the fourth official indicated the added time, Bradley made a needless challenge that gifted Bodin the opportunity to half the deficit from the spot; despite Warrington’s best efforts.

However, within a minute substitute Courtney Cameron produced a mazy run down the right before laying the opportunity on a plate for fellow replacement Odejayi to walk the ball over the line.

Torquay: Poke, Nicholson, Downes, Saah, Lathrope, Mansell, Jarvis, Leadbitter, Bodin, Craig (Benyon HT), Yeoman (Macklin 65).

Unused: Rice, MacDonald, Easton, Stevens, Cruise.

Millers: Warrington, Bradley, Davis, Mullins, Ridehalgh, Agard (Cameron 80), Arnason, Frecklington, Kearns, Revell (Slew 74), Nardiello (Odejayi 67).

Unused: Thompson, Tonge, Pringle, Rowe.

Att: 1,778 (92)