Rotherham United’s Academy were held to a 1-1 draw in the Youth Alliance League by Scunthorpe United in a closely-contested encounter at Roundwood.
Jacob Gratton etched his name onto the scoresheet late in the game to ensure the Millers came from behind and added another point to their league tally against the Iron.
It was the visitors who established the advantage, taking a first half lead at Roundwood, but a Lead Professional Development Phase Coach Ciaran Toner was full of praise for his side’s reaction following an honest chat at the interval.
"It was a difficult game and one we knew going into was against a team in Scunthorpe who are the team to beat really,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
"They have performed really well and amassed a good amount of points which has put them up near the top.
"Tony and Steve over at Scunthorpe are highly-experienced so we knew they'd put a team out to deliver a difficult challenge.
"In terms of our performance, I think we were below par and we can, and have, played a lot better.
"We had a chat at half-time and we knew that we weren't at our best. Ultimately, we have to accept that is going to happen and then we have to come out and perform. I felt we did that.
"I think we had chances to win the game but I think Scunthorpe did too.
"I think a draw was probably a fair result although perhaps if you were looking at the second half alone, we created chances to win the game, deservedly or not. It was pleasing to see that reaction.”
Millers | Ellis; Makwedza, Hull, Beeden, Smith; Scott, Spence (Gateshill 62), Gratton, Peel-Evans; Kenny (Hodgkinson 78), Greaves.
Unused | Farrar, Hanley, Salah.