Spot-kick agony for Bradley as the Millers run Tigers so close

A wonder-strike from Lionel Ainsworth gave Rotherham the lead early in the second half before Aaron Mclean stabbed home the equaliser.

After both sides wasted clear openings in extra-time, Hull edged home in the shoot-out, with Mark Bradley firing against the crossbar after the first 13 penalties had been converted.

“I thought we started off the first half well and should have been at least two up as we had some great chances,” said Bruce.

“The disappointing thing was that we missed those chances. You can’t put a stamp on these things in nine weeks, though. It was clear last season when they scored 40-odd goals but finished eighth that there was a problem with scoring goals. But we have got some good players – a really good, honest bunch – and I know we will be fine.

“I went into the game with the very open plan to try to open the match up, but some of our players needed that game time. For Abdoulaye Faye, Matty Fryatt and Liam Rosenior, it was almost like a pre-season game.

“There is a lot to improve upon, but we created lots of opportunities and some of our play in the first half was superb.”

Bruce said that he remains keen to strengthen his squad before the close of the transfer window.

Rotherham manager Steve Evans felt his side should have had a penalty for James Chester’s challenge on Kieran Agard in extra-time. “My players had the best view of the incident of anyone, and they thought it was a penalty.It should have been a penalty, but the referee said the guy got the ball then the man.

“Apart from the first 15 minutes I think we took the game to them and I think they are fortunate to be in the next round.”

Hull City: Amos, Rosenior (Bruce 82), Dudgeon, Chester, Faye (McShane 74), Stewart, Cairney, McKenna (Mclean 66), Koren, Fryatt, Proschwitz. Unused substitutes: Oxley, Simpson, Devitt, Townsend.

Rotherham United: Shearer, Arnason, Sharps, Mullins, Wilson (Taylor 13), Pringle, Bradley, Noble, Evans (Ainsworth 50), Nardiello (Agard 77), Odejayi. Unused substitutes: Warrington, Revell, O’Connor, Rose.

Referee: D Sheldrake (Surrey).

Man of the match: Cameron Stewart.