Rotherham United 1 Darlington 2: Strugglers stun Rotherham

The visitors arrived with an abysmal record of one point from 11 away games but Rotherham produced a dreadful display and could have no complaints after a disjointed performance that only came to life in the final 10 minutes.

From the start it was the division's bottom club who looked the better side and Jeff Smith went close from 20 yards.

Kevin Ellison shot narrowly wide for Rotherham who thought they had gone in front just before half-time when Adam Le Fondre headed in from a corner by Ellison but the referee indicated he had spotted a foul on the goalkeeper.

Darlington took the lead two minutes into the second half.

Ian Sharps lost possession to Tadgh Purcell and the youngster, on his debut having signed from Shamrock Rovers, ran through to shoot past Andy Warrington.

Worse was to follow for Rotherham after 62 minutes when Mor Diop played in midfielder Gary Smith, who beat Warrington.

Rotherham managed to give themselves hope with 13 minutes to go when former Darlington midfielder Micky Cummins fired home from 15 yards following a corner.

Rotherham United: Warrington; Joseph, Sharps, Mills, Green; Law, Harrison (Cummins 65), Roberts, Ellison (Taylor 75); Broughton (Pope 65), Le Fondre. Unused Substitutes: Annerson, Tonge, Nicholas, Brogan.

Darlington: Liversedge; Arnison, Miller, White, Giddings; Waite, G Smith (Foster 90), Dempsey, J Smith; Purcell (Main 72), Diop (Deane 72). Unused Substitutes: Gray, Mulligan, Jones, Burn.

Referee: A Taylor (Manchester)

* Former Rotherham player Graham Brown has returned to the club as chief scout following the departure of Alan Crawford.

Brown also served as chief scout during Ronnie Moore's first managerial stint at the club.