Burton Albion 1 Rotherham United 2: Rotherham progress despite late blow

Rotherham United squeezed through to the Northern section quarter-finals at the Pirelli Stadium last night.

The Millers seemed to be cruising to victory after Mark Bradley's superb strike in the 65th minute was followed by Kevin Ellison's penalty.

But Ronnie Moore's men were made to sweat for their second-round win after Burton Albion substitute Richard Walker reduced the deficit.

Both teams were under-strength with top scorer Adam Le Fondre the most notable absentee for Rotherham while Burton gave 47-year-old goalkeeper Kevin Poole – the Football League's oldest player – his first outing of the season.

Millers goalkeeper Jamie Annerson, making only his third appearance in as many years, was tested first, keeping out Garyn Preen's low shot.

The makeshift nature of both sides was reflected by a rather disjointed opening spell.

The Millers had to wait until the 65th minute for their first on-target effort, but it was good enough to give them the lead.

Burton were stretched by full-back Jamie Green's run that gave Bradley the chance to lash a 22-yard shot past Poole.

Annerson saved brilliantly from Jack Dyer before Ellison scored from the penalty spot after being brought down by Andy Corbett. But a late rally by Burton was rewarded when Walker tucked home Paul Boertien's 83rd-minute cross.

Burton Albion: Poole; Corbett, Austin, Stanton, Boertien; Preen (Gilroy 52), Penn (Dyer 52), Bolder, Phillips; Young (Walker 67), Pearson. Unused substitutes: Legzdins, Grocott.

Rotherham United: Annerson; Holden, Geoghaghon, Fenton, Green; Law, Taylor, Bradley, Ellison; Pope, Elliott (Warne 71). Unused substitutes: Warrington, Ashworth, Warne, Marshall, Banks.

Referee: R J Booth.