Wycombe 2 v 2 Rotherham - Report
The Millers came from behind to earn a point at Adams Park after Dean Morgan had fired the hosts ahead early on.Daniel Nardiello hit back with a brace after half-time to put Steve Evans’ side ahead, but substitute Gary Doherty’s late header salvaged a point for the Chairboys.
Millers boss Evans made one change to the side that lost to Dagenham and Redbridge at the weekend, with Dale Tonge coming in to replace the suspended Kari Arnason.
Daniel Kearns returned also to the bench following a spell on the sidelines after he picked up a groin injury in the game with Bristol Rovers last month, replacing Mark Bradley who missed out through injury.
Both teams began the game in an attacking manner with action at both ends in the opening five minutes at Adams Park.
The Millers fashioned the first real chance of the game when Michael O’Connor found himself with room on the right-hand side, only for the midfielder to see his low centre smartly cut out bv Charles Dunne, who showed good awareness to nullify the presence of Nardiello in the box.
However, it was the hosts that capitalised on the open nature of the game and took an early lead when Dean Morgan’s scuffed effort found its way to an unmarked Joel Grant at the back post, leaving a simple finish for the winger who gratefully prodded the ball home on six minutes.
Despite the early goal, Evans’ side continued to press the hosts and were almost rewarded for their persistence when Jordan Archer’s unconvincing clearance cannoned back towards goal off Alex Revell, before the Chairboys ‘keeper recovered well to spare his blushes.
Archer was the more troubled of the two goalkeepers as the game approached the half hour mark and he was called into action again when Lee Frecklington’s cross eventually reached David Noble on the edge of the area, before firing an effort which stung the palms of the well-placed Wycombe stopper.
It was the Millers again who came close to the next goal this time through Nardiello, whose glancing header went just wide from Frecklington’s cross at the near post.
O’Connor was the next player to try his luck following a teasing ball from Frecklington which evaded Nardiello at the back post, allowing Pringle to pull the ball back to the edge of the area, before the Northern Ireland midfielder powered his effort over the bar.
The Chairboys did test the Millers defence when Dave Winfield rose highest to meet Sam Wood’s corner, but the presence of Claude Davis saw the Wycombe skipper head wide five minutes before half-time.
Half-time: Wycombe Wanderers 1 v 0 Millers
The break saw a change in referee at Adams Park with the injured Mr Bratt being replaced by one his assistants, leaving fourth official Mr Hillier to adopt the vacancy on the sideline.
Wycombe started brightly after the restart clearly not content with their one goal lead and came close to doubling their advantage when Morgan’s dangerous cross flashed across the face of Andy Warrington’s goal, evading everyone in the box.
However, Evans’ side looked rejuvenated after the interval and it wasn’t long before they were back on level terms. Good work down the left from Ben Pringle allowed Liam Ridehalgh to swing a deep cross to the back post, where an unmarked Nardiello guided his header beyond Archer to give his side the equaliser on 50 minutes.
Confusion ensued at Adams Park following a head injury when Wanderers forward Morgan raced onto a sporting back pass destined for Warrington, before proceeding to try and round the unsuspecting Millers ‘keeper who did well to deny him one-on-one.
The Millers didn’t dwell on this and were ahead moments later when Pringle’s low cross from the left found Nardiello, who made no mistake in placing his precise finish in the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
The action continued to switch from end-to-end at Adams Park and Morgan should have had his side level on 70 minutes following after a surging run from substitute Jo Kuffour, which left him with the goal at his mercy only for the striker to skew his effort over from inside the area.
Gareth Ainsworth made two changes following the Millers goal, introducing himself to the fray in place of Bruno Andrade, with Doherty assuming the position of the injured Dave Winfield and it was a matter of seconds before their introductions affected the balance of the game.
Charles Dunne’s fierce free-kick looked to be heading goalwards until it took a slight deflection off a Millers player and from the resulting corner it was Doherty who leapt highest to head the hosts level from the edge of the six yard area.
The Millers boss also acted as the visitors looked to restore their lead with Daniel Kearns and Kayode Odejayi replacing Revell and Nardiello in attack, with the former causing an immediate threat down the right flank forcing a free-kick from Sam Wood.
Pringle’s deep delivery from the resulting set piece found Odejayi at the far post, but his header was turned behind for a corner by Archer.
Full-time: Wycombe Wanderers 2 v 2 Millers
Millers: Warrington, Tonge, Ridehalgh, Davis, Mullins ©, Pringle (Agard 95), Frecklington, O’Connor, Noble, Nardiello (Kearns 84), Revell (Odejayi 86).
Unused: Shearer, Morgan, Rowe
Wycombe Wanderers: Archer, Harriman, Wood, Dunne, Winfield © (Doherty 74), Grant, Lewis, Scowen, Andrade (Ainsworth 71), Morgan, McClure (Kuffour 22).
Unused: Harrison, Oli, McCoy, Morais