HIGHLIGHTS: Rotherham United 5 Walsall 1 - Paul Warne elated by five-star Millers after third win in row

Four of the Millers' five goals came in the first half and skipper Lee Frecklington stole the plaudits with his maiden career hat-trick.

"It was a good night's work in pretty wet conditions," said Rotherham boss Paul Warne.

"We didn't play as well footballing wise as we can but I'm obviously happy to get the win, a third on the spin as well.

"Even though we scored four goals in the first half, we missed a few chances as well. We could have been six or seven up.

"Second half we didn't start too bad, they got a goal and we had a nervy ten minutes. We felt the tension off the crowd and that can rub off on the players.

"They have got to stay confident all the time. When they do take two touches and pass the ball around, we're a really good team. I just need the lads to believe in themselves and realise how good they can be."

The first 45 minutes were as one-sided an affair as you are likely to see all season.

Frecklington opened the scoring after 13 minutes with a sumptuous volley before he dashed down the other end and cleared Amadou Bakayoko's goalbound effort off the line.

And from that the hosts set off on a counter that ended with Jon Taylor stooping to head home a second goal for the hosts.

The third goal arrived shortly after when Taylor tapped in at the second attempt after his initial shot was saved on the line.

Frecklington then notched his second of the night and made it 4-0 on 31 minutes to complete a sorry first half for the hapless visitors.

Walsall reduced the deficit just after the restart through Amadou Bakayoko, who was lucky to escape a second yellow card moments earlier.

Kieffer Moore, who held up the ball excellently all game, almost stole a fifth but smacked a shot wide.

Walsall did work their way back into the game as it wore on, but the Millers' outstanding performer Frecklington had the last word.

The United skipper rifled home inside the area for his third and the hosts' fifth to complete a tremendous night's work for Paul Warne's side.

Rotherham: Rodak, Vaulks, Wood, Ihiekwe, Mattock, Williams, Potter, Frecklington, Towell (Newell 82), Taylor (Forde 72), Moore (Ball 62)

Unused substitutes: O'Donnell, Ajayi, Purrington, Yates

Walsall: Gillespie, Wilson, Guthrie, Donnelan (Cuvelier 32), Devlin, Chambers, Edwards, Leahy, Oztumer (Morris 46), T Roberts, Bakayoko (Agyei 71)

Unused substitutes: L Roberts, Jackson, Ismail, K Roberts

Referee: M Coy (Durham).