Rotherham United fell to their first ever defeat at Don Valley Stadium after going down 4-3 to 10-man Barnet.
The Millers paid for some sloppy second half defending which presented Barnet striker Cliff Akurang with a brace that sealed the points for the Bees despite a late Rotherham fight back.
The Millers could not have got off to a better start to the match when after just eight minutes a cross by Dale Tonge found Nick Fenton who nodded over goalkeeper Lee Harrison and into the net.
On 14 minutes it was nearly two nil when Alex Rhodes provided a good cross which found Reuben Reid but his shot was saved low down by Harrison. With the Millers seemingly in complete control they conceded a surprise leveller after 18 minutes. Albert Adomah caused the Millers problems all afternoon and his right wing cross was met by the head of Luke Medley who beat Andy Warrington from six yards out.
The game took a new twist on the half hour mark when Rhodes was sent clear on goal. The Millers winger showed good strength and composure to round Harrison but with the goal gaping he was felled by Max Porter who was promptly dismissed by referee Graham Salisbury who also awarded the Millers a spot kick. Mark Hudson stepped up but for the second time this season he missed the opportunity with Harrison making a comfortable save low to his right.
Despite being a man down it was Barnet who then went in front in spectacular style. Adomah received the ball on the right of the penalty area and from what looked liked an impossible angle smashed the ball across Warrington and into the far corner to the shock of the home support.
Half time
Rotherham United 1 v 2 Barnet
Mark Robins made two half time changes with Mark Burchill and Richie Barker replacing Drewe Broughton and Mark Hudson but despite the changes it was Barnet who increased their lead. Akurang ghosted past several challenges on a mazy run into the area before calmly taking the ball around Warrington and side footing it into the empty net.
Rotherham almost got back into the game on the hour mark when Burchill was sent through on goal but Harrison raced out of his goal to smother his shot from eight yards. Three minutes later and the Millers paid for the miss when the Bees added a fourth. A long hopeful clearance by Harrison looked innocuous but Fenton allowed the ball to bounce and Akurang nipped in between the defender and Warrington to glide the ball into the net.
The Millers refused to lie down and gave themselves a chance with a goal in the 70th minute. Tonge's free kick was perfect for Ian Sharps who glanced his header beyond Harrison and into the corner of the net.
This prompted a siege of the Barnet goal and Reid went close with a low drive which was deflected just wide of the target. The Millers continued to attack and Kenny Gillet was forced to clear off his own line after Rhodes had crossed from the touchline.
Rotherham's pressure was then further rewarded in the 79th minute when the Millers pulled another goal back. Reid made a superb surging run into the box taking on several Barnet defenders before being cynically pulled back leaving referee Salisbury no option but to award a second penalty. Burchill was given the responsibility and made no mistake with a coolly taken spot kick which sent Harrison the wrong way.
The Millers then peppered the Bees defence with ten minutes of severe pressure and almost completed a remarkable comeback when Andy Nicholas' header rattled the bar and Fenton's follow up was cleared off the line.
Full time
Rotherham United 3 v 4 Barnet
Rotherham: Warrington; Tonge, Sharps, Fenton, Nicholas, Hudson (Barker ht), Mills, Cummins, Rhodes, Reid, Broughton (Burchill ht).
Subs not used: Cann, Harrison, Joseph.
Barnet: Harrison; Devera, Yakubu, Leary, Gillet, Adomah, Bishop, Porter, Deverdics (Tabiri 90), Medley (Nicolau 74), Akurang (Birchall 88).
Subs not used: O'Flynn, Kardoch.
