Narrow defeat for youngsters...
Rotherham United slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Paul Stancliffe’s Doncaster Rovers in a rare midweek fixture.
The Millers fielded an experienced team, with Daniel Rowe partnering Harley Wigley at centre-back, with the in-form Jerry Yates starting in attack.
It was a slow start to the game with neither side really able to take control, and it took 20 minutes for the first real shot in anger; Reece Lucas powered down the right before crossing low for Connor Bell whose shot on the turn curled narrowly wide.
Following a scrappy opening half-hour the deciding goal eventually arrived 32 minutes in. A searching free-kick from halfway tempted Charlie Bryan out of his goal but he came up short with the ball appearing to come off the impressive Ben Askins before bouncing into the abandoned goal.
The first period passed with little to shout about before Rotherham came out on the front foot for the second 45. Lucas was determined to provider, again crossing from the right where he picked out Bell at the far post only for him to be denied by a good save by Jack McLaren.
The home side continued piling on the pressure and when Michael Williamson fed Ayrton Bevins through the middle, he looked favourite to equalise only to be denied by McLaren; James Cadman followed up but his effort was blocked by Bevins who was still grounded.
Glossop-born Bevins almost made amends minutes later with a great run down the left, but his shot then whistled beyond the post.
Injury time saw the Millers go closest to grabbing an equaliser, when Cadman’s half-volley was superbly saved by McLaren despite taking a deflection on the way through, and with the final action of the game, Lucas was eyeing a goal of the season contender as he took aim from fully 35 yards with a dipping volley that cannoned back off the crossbar.
Full-time
Rotherham United 0-1 Doncaster Rovers
Millers: Bryan, Lucas, Rowe, Wigley, Smalley (Bailey 86), Cadman, Watson, Williamson (Wiles 86), Bevins, Bell (Norfolk 76), Yates.