Accrington 1 Rotherham 2: Nardiello hits double figures in Millers win

Leading scorer Nardiello bagged a brace to help catapult the Millers up the table from seventh and within touching distance of breaking into the automatic promotion places.

The 30-year-old needed just three minutes to cancel out Dean Winnard’s second-minute opener – the defender’s first goal since August 2011 – and was in the right place at the right time once again when he popped up three minutes after the break to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the contest.

Nardiello’s goals proved to be enough as the visitors made it three wins out of their last four league fixtures, much to the delight of manager Steve Evans.

Defeat for an impressive Accrington Stanley side ended a three-game unbeaten run.

By scoring twice Nardiello also took his tally to 10 goals for the season and five goals in his last four games.

Padraig Amond had an early shot saved by Millers’ goalkeeper Andy Warrington before, seconds later, Winnard headed home from Charlie Barnett’s inswinging corner.

But Nardiello quickly levelled from close-range and, after Courtney Cameron, Alex Revell and Michael O’Connor had all gone close in the first half, it was the club’s top marksman who was on target again soon after the restart for what proved to be the winning strike.

Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin, Winnard, Nisiala, Atkinson, Liddle, Miller (Murphy 84), Joyce, Linfield, Boco, Barnett (Chippendale 79), Amond (Gray 68). Unused substitutes: Dawber, Hatfield, Clark, Dixon.

Rotherham United: Warrington, Bradley, Sharps, Mullins, Ridehalgh, Cameron (Rooney 88), Taylor, O’Connor, Nardiello (Frecklington 82), Pringle, Revell. Unused substitutes: Thompson, Odejayi, Hunt, Walker, O’Connell.

Referee: C Sarginson (Staffordshire)