Rotherham United crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season after a 4-0 hammering away at Gillingham.

Goals by Simon King, Adam Miller, Garry Richards and Luis Cumbers gave the Gills the points and to cap a miserable afternoon for the Millers Danny Harrison was also sent off.

The Millers got off to the worse possible start when they conceded with the game's first attack after six minutes. A free kick by Nicky Southall to the back post found the head of Simon King and the defender's looping header beat Andy Warrington and went in via the crossbar.

On 18 minutes the Millers finally registered their first effort of the game when Omar Garcia found Micky Cummins but the Irishman's effort was wide of Simon Royce's near post from 20 yards out. The Millers threatened again in the 25^th minute when Danny Harrison flashed an effort across goal which just eluded Richie Barker who was lurking in the six yard box.

On the half hour mark Rotherham registered their best effort of the half when a long ball into the area by Dale Tonge landed at the feet of Nick Fenton but the defender's shot was brilliantly tipped over by Royce.

Just when it seemed that the Millers were starting to get a foothold in the game the match took a dramatic twist. In the 35^th minute Barry Fuller was hit by a reckless two footed tackle by Danny Harrison and referee Richard Beeby had no hesitation but to send Harrison for an early bath. Mark Robins was forced to shuffle his midfield and introduced Mark Hudson in place of Garcia.

The Gills almost doubled their lead in the 43^rd minute when Adam Miller rounded Warrington who appeared to bring him down, the referee waved play on but Curtis Weston's shot was blocked by Ian Sharps.

The Millers had the last effort of the half when Hudson almost caught out Royce from 20 yards but the veteran 'keeper gathered his shot at the second attempt.

Half time

Gillingham 1 v 0 Rotherham United

The Millers made a bright start to the second period when Reuben Reid galloped clear down the right, his run was brought to an abrupt end as he went clear on goal but the Millers striker was then yellow carded for an apparent dive.

Gillingham then added a second in the 58^th minute when sub Mark McCammon was sent clean through on goal, his shot was brilliantly smothered by Warrington but the re-bound fell kindly for Miller who converted from close range.

The Millers missed a great chance in the 70^th minute when a pinpoint long pass by Hudson found Barker but under pressure he couldn't get a shot away and the ball trickled wide.

In the 75^th minute Robins sent on Drewe Broughton for Barker and with one of his first touches of the ball he looped a header goalwards which was tipped onto the bar by Royce.

Jamie Yates then entered the fray after 77 minutes but no sooner had he took the field the Millers found themselves three behind. A cross from the left by John Nutter was headed in at the near post by unmarked centre half Richards.

Worse was to follow in the 88^th minute when a Nutter cross was bundled into the net by sub Cumbers to end a disappointing afternoon for the Millers.

Full time

Gillingham 4 v 0 Rotherham United

Gillingham: Royce; Fuller, Richards, King, Nutter, Southall, Weston (McCammon ht), Bentley, Barcham (Cumbers 85), Miller, Jackson (Jarrett 81).

Subs not used: Julian, Mills.

Rotherham: Warrington; Tonge, Sharps, Fenton, Nicholas, Mills, Harrison, Cummins, Garcia (Hudson 40), Reid (Yates 77), Barker (Broughton 75).

Subs not used: Annerson, Joseph.