Jerome Greaves netted a brace as Rotherham United reserves returned to Central League Cup action with a convincing 3-0 victory over Walsall.
Greaves struck either side of half time to put the Millers in command, before Jacob Gratton wrapped up the scoring from the spot, with a strong performance from Josh Chapman preserving the clean sheet.
It was a big moment for defender Angus MacDonald, who made his long-awaited return from injury by skippering a young Millers side in the West Midlands.
Young pros Joshua Chapman, Jake Cooper, Jacob Gratton and Jerome Greaves also featured against the Saddlers reserves.
The first chance of note came for the away side, when Jenkinson tested Jackson with a powerful low strike, forcing the keeper to push the ball way from danger in the 11th minute.
Walsall looked to turn the screw after 26 minutes, when Maher picked up possession and looked to try his luck from distance, seeing his shot narrowly evade the target.
The Saddlers went close again nine minutes before the break when Derry burst into the area and got a shot away from a tight angle, which was blocked on it’s way to goal by Chapman before two more heroic defensive interventions saw the Millers survive.
They were rewarded eight minutes later, when Jerome Greaves – who recently netted for Farsley Celtic in the Vanarama National League North – got his name on the scoresheet just before the break to give the Millers the half time advantage.
HALF TIME | Walsall 0 v 1 Reserves
The home side looked to force their way back into the game from offset in the second period, going close four minutes into the half when Willis drifted a powerful strike just wide, before Champman was equal to a powerful volley from Maher.
The Millers doubled their advantage nine minutes later, when Greaves notched his second of the afternoon with a good first-time strike on the hour mark.
Rotherham had their tails up and won a penalty four minutes later, which was despatched confidently by Jacob Gratton to put some more gloss on the scoreline.
Walsall responded through Manton with 20 minutes to go when he fired wide of the target from the left side.
Chapman was again called into action two minutes before the end, saving brilliantly from a powerful Willis header to keep the score at 3-0.
FULL TIME | Walsall 0 v 3 Reserves
Walsall | Jackson; Sawyers, Worley, Willock, Maher, Derry, Bates, Manton, Simcox, Willis, Perry.
SUBS | Hedge, Angafor, Cristofaro, Shaw, Onabirekhanlen.
Reserves | Chapman; MacDonald, Exton (Carroll 45'), Cooper, Jenkinson (Holvey 55'); Greenhouse, Warne, Durose, Champion (McGuckin 55'); Gratton, Greaves (Nesbitt 75').
SUBS | Burnett.