Rotherham United 0 Oxford United 1: Ex-Miller Ryan Taylor puts League One visitors ahead at break

The forward sparked a chorus of half-time boos from home supporters after his 42nd minute goal proved the difference between the two sides at the break.

Both teams had superb chances to score, none more than Chris Maguire who saw his penalty saved by Lewis Price, as Championship strugglers Rotherham looked to forget their league woes.

Rotherham were forced into a late team change, when Peter Odemwingie was injured in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Dexter Blackstock.

Oxford included three former Millers in their squad, Maguire, Taylor and Joe Skarz.

The hosts had a glorious chance to settle their nerves in the opening minutes, as Danny Ward raced clear.

But with just goalkeeper Simon Eastwood to beat, Ward - linked with a January move to Sheffield Wednesday - dragged his shot wide.

At the other end, Marvin Johnson was allowed space to drive forward but hammered his shot over the crossbar.

How Maguire did not score inside the opening 10 minutes will remain a mystery. The striker broke clear down the middle, but with just Price in his way he stroked his shot beyond the keeper's right-hand post.

Left-back Joe Mattock then had to race back to deny Alex MacDonald after a swift break from Taylor.

It was an open contest, with little to choose between two teams divided by just a dozen places in the league pyramid.

Blackstock was next to spurn a good opening. The ball broke to the Rotherham striker, free inside the box, only for Curtis Nelson to appear from nowhere to nip in and clear the danger.

Oxford should have been in front before half-time, when Kirk Broadfoot fouled Taylor inside the box.

But Maguire saw his penalty well saved by Price, low down to his left, to the relief of the Millers supporters behind that goal.

Ward saw his effort deflected wide, but the Millers were too open at the back and were punished in the 42nd minute.

Maguire picked up the ball in acres of space in midfield, and as Rotherham scampered back to close the gaps, Oxford picked them off as Taylor fired home against his former club.

Even then, the hosts could have score before the break, but Tom Adeyemi's header was well saved by Eastwood.