Millers earn impressive point on the road…
Rotherham United were denied their second successive victory on the road, as a late Viktor Gyokeres penalty forced Matt Taylor’s men to settle for a 2-2 draw at Coventry Building Society Arena.
Cohen Bramall had seen his first half effort cancelled out by Gustavo Hamer 15 minutes from the end, before Conor Washington put the Millers back in front but the home side earned a share of the spoils when Richard was adjudged to have fouled Callum O’Hare in the box.
Rotherham went into the fixture looking to bounce back from a rare home defeat to Hull City, with manager Matt Taylor making five changes to the team that were beaten 4-2 by the Tigers.
The Millers forged themselves a great opportunity in the opening exchanges, as Bramall latched onto a loose ball, catching the Sky Blue’s defence napping. The full back then whipped a ball across the face of goal in search of striker Georgie Kelly, but the cross was just out of the reach of the Irishman.
An action packed opening few minutes saw Coventry create a chance of their own through clever link-up play between Gyökeres and Waghorn, who fed it out wide to Hamer. The midfielder then returned the ball to sender, but Waghorn's subsequent strike was blocked.
It was then Rotherham's turn to attack again, in a frantic opening to the game. This time, Wiles found space inside the Coventry box, sliding it across for Kelly – but the veteran McFadzean read the play and was able to intercept.
The Rotherham rearguard was called into action as loanee Callum Doyle looked to slip a clever ball through for Gyökeres, but Hall showed his defensive prowess, sensing the danger early and incepting the pass, winning a goal kick in the process.
Superb defending from Lee Peltier kept the match goalless when he raced back to dispossess Gyokeres after the Sky Blues man had rounded Johansson for what looked like a tap-in.
The Sky Blues had conceded just a solitary goal in their previous seven outings but could do nothing to protect that statistic when Dan Barlaser’s pass released Bramall who burst in behind and fired a shot emphatically beyond Wilson to put the Millers ahead two minutes before the break.
It took a moment of brilliance from Odoffin to keep the Millers ahead at the break, as he prevented Palmer’s looping header from creeping into the net.
HALF TIME: COVENTRY 0 – 1 ROTHERHAM
Nine minutes into the second half and Rotherham came close to adding to their lead. Clever link-up play on the left saw Wiles shift past Palmer and swing an inviting cross into the Coventry box. The curling ball was out of reaching of a chasing Kelly, however ‘keeper Ben Wilson was caught off-guard as it went whistling agonisingly wide of the post.
Coventry found a way through the Millers press around the hour mark, as Hamer cut a ball back into the box for Allen. The midfielder couldn’t get the ball under his spell however as his powerful first-time effort was blazed over the bar.
Coventry began to grow back into the game through Gyökeres as he made a dangerous run into the Millers box, but an excellently timed sliding challenge from Hall denied the forward. However, the ball only fell as far as Palmer who made a run himself, but he was met with another inch-perfect sliding challenge from Peltier.
Coventry fashioned a response with around 15 minutes to go, as Palmer slid a ball through for Hamer who made no mistake with his finish, driving into the bottom right off the post.
However, no sooner had the Coventry fans sat down, Conor Washington found himself through on goal, one-on-one against Wilson. The forward's first strike was saved with a strong hand, but the ball fell kindly for the striker, who got a second bite of the cherry and made no mistake. Rotherham’s lead nearly instantly restored.
However, with the clock on 90 minutes, Coventry managed to break into the Rotherham box, led by O’Hare. The substitute proved an informed one as he went down following a challenge from Wood, earning a penalty.
Gyökeres stood over the spot kick, facing off with his friend Viktor Johansson. The striker placed it low and down the middle, past a diving Johansson and levelling the scores at the death.
FULL TIME: COVENTRY 2 – 2 ROTHERHAM
Teams:
Coventry – Wilson, Doyle, Rose, McFadzean © (Panzo 73’), Allen, Waghorn (Palmer 7’), Sheaf (Kane 73’), Gyökeres, Dabo (Eccles 45’), Bidwell (O’Hare 73’), Hamer; Unused – Moore, Tavares.
Rotherham – Johansson, Harding, Bramall (Norton-Cuffy 63’), Barlaser, Wiles ©, Kelly (Eaves 74’), Washington, Hall (Wood 74’), Peltier (McCart 74’), Odoffin (Lindsay 52’), Humphreys; Unused – Vickers, High.
Referee – A. Davies
Attendance – 18,593 (1,022)