Millers chief Paul Warne was frustrated with his side’s efforts as they made the long trek home empty-handed, following a narrow goal defeat at the hands of Bristol Rovers.
Former Rotherham striker Jonson Clarke-Harris rubbed salt into Millers wounds as his second-half strike proved the difference between the sides, in a largely uninspiring affair at the Memorial Stadium.
In a fairly even first period, Rangers loanee Jake Hastie came closest for the Millers – with a fine effort which brought a fingertip save from Anssi Jaakkola before fizzing a dangerous centre across the Rovers goalmouth.
However, Clarke-Harris’ fierce drive, just three minutes into the second half, gave Rovers the impetus and the home side never looked back although sub Matt Olosunde almost earned the Millers a share of the spoils, in the dying minutes, with a rasping effort which brought another fine save from Jaakkola.
Speaking to the assembled media afterwards, Warne admitted that his side struggled to regain their rhythm following Rovers’ opener while conceding that they were punished for not making the most of their first-half opportunities.
“When we did get the ball down and played in the first-half we created chances.” Warne remarked.
“We put loads of balls across the six-yard box but we didn’t get in on any of them.
“They had chances but the chance they did score from was inexcusable. We get frustrated but there is still 40 minutes left in the game. We still should have had control and passed it but we didn’t and that is the most disappointing thing for me.”
Despite the disappointing nature of the score line in Gloucestershire, Warne admits that Bristol Rovers will be a tough proposition for the majority of Sky Bet League One opponents, on their home patch, by remarking that his side found the going tough, for large periods of the game.
“I think we just got outmuscled really, which I hate to say.” Warne added.
“We have no divine right to come here and win the game. They have not lost a home game all season. They are a hard team to play against. They frustrated us really well and defended well on all the set-pieces. We did not look menacing on any set-pieces and they deservedly won the game.”