Rotherham United advanced to the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after a 1-0 win over Lincoln City at Don Valley Stadium.

Adam Le Fondre scored the winner for the Millers just after half time when his shot from just outside the area took a deflection before nestling into the back of the Lincoln net.

Ronnie Moore made three changes from the side that beat Hereford on Saturday. Jamie Annerson replaced the injured Andy Warrington, whilst Jeremiah Ani and Johnny Mullins made their Rotherham United debuts in place of Dean Holden and Paul Warne.

The Millers had the first effort on target on six minutes. Kevin Ellison tried his luck with a 25 yard free-kick but Joe Anyon kept his eye on the ball to make a smothering save low down.

Lincoln had a half chance in the 21st minute when Ben Hutchinson turned in the area but his shot from 18 yards out was well over Annerson's crossbar.

Ellison was involved again on 28 minutes when he made a terrific sliding chance to deny Cian Hughton after the Imps youngster had motored into the penalty area.

Debutant Ani showed his strength and pace as he ran through the middle of the Lincoln defence but he was denied by an excellent sliding challenge by Moses Swaibu.

Ani was in the thick of the action again on 31 minutes. Ellison swung in a deep cross from the left and Ani leapt in between two defenders but could only direct his header over the bar.

Half time
Rotherham United 0 v 0 Lincoln City

The Millers made a great start to the second half and were in front on 47 minutes. Tom Newey made good progress down the left before squaring the ball to Le Fondre, whose shot from 20 yards took a wicked deflection off Swaibu to send the ball beyond a helpless Anyon.

Annerson was called into action moments later when Ryan Cresswell tried to chest the ball back to the 'keeper but only managed to force Annerson into a smart save low down.

A minute later Ben Hutchinson was played in on the angle but slid the ball beyond Annerson's far post.

On 52 minutes Nicky Law went on a mazy run across the penalty area before crossing into the box where Ellison glanced a header straight at Anyon.

A cross from Newey on 58 minutes found its way to Cresswell, who was in the area following a corner, but after shifting the ball out of his feet his shot was just wide of the far post.

Le Fondre almost had a second on 68 minutes. Law chased down a through ball with Anyon with the 'keeper only parrying the ball to his left. Law was first to the loose ball and he laid it into the path of the onrushing Le Fondre whose side footed strike was well saved by the legs of Anyon.

The game then drifted with very little in terms of goalmouth action as the Millers saw out the game to advance into round two.

Full time
Rotherham United 1 v 0 Lincoln City

Rotherham: Annerson; Mullins, Cresswell, Geohaghon (Ashworth HT), Newey, Law, J.Taylor, Harrison, Ellison, Ani (Warne 64), Le Fondre (Green 87).

Subs not used: Hancock, Holden.

Lincoln: Anyon; Green (Facey 38), Watts, Swaibu, Anderson, O'Keefe, Kerr, Keltie (Adams 76), Hughton, A. Hutchinson, B. Hutchinson.

Subs not used: Musselwhite, Clapham, Turner.