Rotherham United’s Academy advanced to the second round of the Youth Alliance Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Mansfield Town.
After a goalless draw over 90 minutes the match went to penalties and it was the Millers who held their nerve to advance 6-5 in a tense shootout.
Max Hallatt scored the decisive spot kick with ‘keeper Peter Denton saving to ensure a second round tie away at Accrington Stanley.
“We have a number of short-term injuries at present so we again used this game as an opportunity to give some first-year scholars a chance,” said Academy Manager Garreth Barker.
“We asked for a clean sheet in the first instance which we got so that was pleasing. We had a chat at half-time and changed our shape slightly which helped inject a little more impetuous into our play so the second-half was an improvement.
“The match went to penalties but I felt that we had the better chances in normal time and deserved to win the game outright.
“In the shootout we went with as many of the experienced lads as we could. Mason Warren, Andy Norfolk, Kuda Muskwe, Alex Wiles, Jerry Yates and Max Hallatt all scored, and Peter Denton saved their sixth spot kick.”
Rotherham: Denton; Gibson, Peace-McDonald, Hallatt, Smalley, Bailey-King (Potts 70), Fenton, Wiles, Warren, Yates, Johnson (Norfolk 70).