A fourth goal in as many games by Adam Le Fondre wasn't enough to stop Rotherham United slipping out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the first hurdle, after goals from Peter Clarke and Robbie Simpson earned victory for Huddersfield Town in the first round tie.

The tough task that faced the Millers against an in form Terriers side was made harder just a minute into the game. Joe Skarz was allowed time to cross from the left which was deflected over, and Peter Clarke headed home the resulting corner at the near post.

Town doubled the lead just seven minutes in. Rotherham failed to react after a quick free-kick, and Lionel Ainsworth was allowed time to cross, which was met by Simpson whose glancing header beat Andy Warrington.

It was quickly apparent that Ainsworth was the danger man for the visitors, and he almost got a third for Town after just seven minutes. Cutting in from the right, he shot left footed, but it was wide of Warrington's goal. The Terriers continued to press, and Lee Novak found himself behind the Millers defence from a goal kick but he dragged his effort wide.

Rotherham finally managed to threaten the Huddersfield goal after seventeen minutes. Andy Liddell caught out the Town goal from a throw, and his cross found Micky Cummins six-yards out whose shot was blocked by Clarke at the back.

From then it was mainly Rotherham on the attack, but not before Dale Tonge rushed back to block Novak's effort off the line when Simpson crossed after rounding the 'keeper.

Ainsworth did have two more efforts to extend the visitors lead, firing wide after cutting in from the left, and also being denied by Warrington after Simpson's pass had cut open the defence.

Rotherham were sparked into life after half an hour, Jamie Green found Nicky Law down the right, and he made his way into the box on the left before squaring for Le Fondre to side foot home. The home side came very close to an equaliser just minutes later, Kevin Ellison's free kick from distance saved by Alex Smithies in the Huddersfield goal.

Half time

Rotherham United 1 v 2 Huddersfield Town

Rotherham began the second half much better than the first, and had a penalty shout turned down by Mr Bratt. A ball into the area sat up for Law, whose overhead kick was blocked, by an arm some felt, but the referee waved away the protests.

The best chance of the game fell to Huddersfield's Novak just after the hour. Anthony Pilkington's cross was headed back across goal and Novak was gifted an opportunity in the six-yard box, but Warrington saved with his legs.

Ellison had a chance to grab an equaliser for the Millers on 65 minutes, flicking on Warrington's free-kick before chasing the ball himself but firing wide with his left foot from the left hand side of the area.

Ellison then had another chance moments later, this time Rotherham breaking on the counter, but again he could only fire wide from a similar position after being fed by Law.

Simpson could have sealed the game at the death, breaking the offside trap but opting to shoot rather than find a teammate, but Warrington was equal to it.

Drewe Broughton made his return from injury, replacing Ellison with just two minutes remaining but was unable to prevent the Miller's first home defeat of the season.

Full time

Rotherham United 1 v 2 Huddersfield Town

Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge, Joseph, Sharps, Green, Liddell (R. Taylor 63), Cummins (J. Taylor 24), Harrison, Ellison (Broughton 88), Law, Le Fondre.

Subs not used: Annerson, Nicholas.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Peltier, N.Clarke, P.Clarke, Skarz, Ainsworth, Collins, Goodwin, Pilkington, Simpson, Novak.

Subs not used: Glennon, Williams, Butler, Berrett, Rhodes.

Report: Ben Shepherd