Alex Bruce laments 'moment of stupidity' that cost Rotherham United win against Salford
Rotherham United missed the opportunity of a second home win of the season after letting 10-man Salford off the hook at the New York Stadium.
Macaulay Langstaff’s first goal for Salford earned 10-man side a share of the spoils following a 3-3 draw with Rotherham in the clubs’ first ever league meeting.
Salford raced into an early lead after nine minutes when Ryan Graydon volleyed home at the far post.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when Joe Powell came back to haunt his former club, who he left in the summer, when he unleashed a fantastic strike from distance which flew into the top corner of the home goal.
The Millers were back on level terms just four minutes later. Brandon Cover stroked home his first goal in Rotherham colours before Paul Mullin kept his nerve from the spot after Will Aimson had tripped Ossama Ashley in the box.
Rotherham took the lead after 55 minutes through Ashley’s fierce low drive before Salford’s Abraham Odoh was dismissed for two bookable offences with 21 minutes left.
The drama was far from over though when Salford levelled with 16 minutes remaining when Aimson was brought down in the Rotherham area and Langstaff slotted home from 12 yards.
Alex Bruce, who was on Salford’s coaching staff last season, had mixed emotions from the game as his side came back from two goals down to go ahead before letting it slip late on.
“In the first 20 minutes, we were too passive and we were not at it. They had too much time on the ball. We were five yards off everybody,” Bruce noted.
“Fair play to the lads. When we kept the ball better, we showed we were a good team. I was pleased with the players’ reaction though. They dug deep and there were a lot of pleasing things to see.”
Bruce admitted the game turned on a momentary lapse of concentration from Sheffield United loanee Jili Buyabu, who was penalised for a shirt pull in the box on Will Aimson, when the Millers were leading and Langstaff punished him by netting his first Salford goal from the spot.
“It was a moment of stupidity from Jili (Buyabu),” Bruce bemoaned.
“He was not in the right position and he pulled the player’s shirt. He is a young boy and when you watch it back, it is just sheer naivety. I think he will learn from that.”