Redfearn happy with progress from Millers

Rotherham moved a point clear of the relegation zone thanks to fellow strugglers Bristol City’s defeat at Leeds.

“It was a good football game, although it took a while to come to life. We started slow and they got their goal, which was disappointing,” said Redfearn.

“But we grew into it, we equalised just before the break and had a spell for 20 minutes where we were on top and looked likely to go on and win it.

“We spoke about needing to start the second half fast and we came out and got the goal and looked like we might win it.

“But you cannot give quality players time in the box and they took their chance.”

Anthony Pilkington got on the scoresheet three times, but only two came at the right end. He controlled Joe Mason’s flick to slide the 25th-minute opener under Lee Camp.

But Cardiff switched off and were punished when Joe Newell converted Danny Ward’s pass a minute before the break, and four minutes into the second half Pilkington’s sliced clearance flew into his own net.

The former Norwich and Huddersfield man did well to latch on to Stuart O’Keefe’s pass and atone by equalising, but the hosts could not find a winner as Pilkington was booked for diving and Lee Peltier picked up a second booking to see red.

Cardiff City: Marshall, Peltier, Ecuele Manga, Connolly, Malone, Noone (Da Silva 85), O’Keefe, Ralls, Whittingham (Ameobi 76), Pilkington, Mason (Immers 59). Unused substitutes: Macheda, Dikgacoi, Gunnarsson, Moore.

Rotherham United: Camp, Facey, Broadfoot, Belaid (Collins 86), Mattock, Green, Smallwood, Christopher Burke, G Ward, Newell (Becchio 67), D Ward (Clarke-Harris 79). Unused substitutes: Cairns, Richardson, Rawson, Derbyshire.

Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Anthony Pilkington.