Rotherham United’s Assistant Manager Paul Raynor was pleased to see the Millers progress to the second round despite only a Matt Derbyshire penalty separating the sides at New York Stadium.
“It was a cup tie and we’re through to the next round,” Raynor told Millers Player.
“That’s what we asked the boys to do and they’ve done it, albeit with extra-time and a penalty. I think in terms of dominating possession and moving the ball we were fine, but we just let ourselves down in the final third. But as I say there were some pleasing aspects and you have to remember we made changes (six) and there were players who will play Saturday who weren’t even stripped today. The main thing is we’re in the hat for the next round.”
Derbyshire was introduced to the action on 66 minutes and after capitalising on a Nathan Pond error, earned himself the opportunity to convert from 12 yards.
“It was a deserved penalty, he was clearly pulled back and it was reward for our domination. But for that final ball it could have been more comfortable than it actually was in the end.”
Manager Steve Evans made six changes to the starting lineup, which included several debuts, and a first competitive senior start for John Swift, and Rayns believes that certain performances will have given the Millers boss a number of selection headaches.
“Matt’s a goalscorer and he likes scoring goals and I was pleased for a number of the boys who haven’t been involved, boys like Richard Wood, Michael Tidser who has come in today and the nice thing is we look ahead to Saturday with a good side competing for places.”