Bournemouth 1 Rotherham United 0 - ‘We threw the kitchen sink’ to find an equaliser, says Paul Warne

Denmark international Billing struck midway through the first half to ensure the Cherries extended their unbeaten run under caretaker-boss Jonathan Woodgate to four matches. The Cherries started brightly with Holland midfielder Arnaut Danjuma curling into the gloves of Millers goalkeeper Viktor Johansson from the edge of the penalty area in the 16th minute.

Soon after, a route one free-kick from Johansson caused havoc in the Bournemouth box but opposite number Asmir Begovic managed to punch the ball clear.

The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute when Bournemouth caught out their visitors with a rapid counter-attack. Adam Smith started the move with a header from inside his own half before playing a neat one-two with Surridge and crossing for Billing to blast home from 12 yards.

Rotherham had not come back from 1-0 down to win in any of their previous 30 Championship matches. But the Cherries had a massive let-off a minute before half-time when Rotherham captain Richard Wood missed a gilt-edged chance to make it 1-1.

Michael Ihiekwe did well to head Daniel Barlaser’s free-kick across the face of goal and Wood looked certain to score but somehow contrived to turn the ball over from inside the six-yard box.

It took a superb save from Begovic to keep Bournemouth’s 1-0 lead intact in the 67th minute.

Ben Wiles let fly with a venomous shot from just outside the penalty area and Begovic flung himself acrobatically to his top left corner to turn it behind for a corner.

Freddie Ladapo could have scored but failed to keep his shot down after being put through one-on-one with Begovic.

Rotherham manager Paul Warne revealed his players were disappointed not to take a point from the game.

He said: “We were okay. We were pretty pleased how we played. We were good out of possession but not so good out of possession.

“The lads in the dressing room are a bit disappointed we have come away with nothing.

“We threw the kitchen sink as best we could and the best compliment that I can pay the lads is that Bournemouth were quite happy to hear the final whistle.

“I am really proud of the team because we gave a good account of ourselves.

“I thought we created a lot and made them defend a lot so our effort and endeavor should be applauded.

“I came here with confidence that we would cause them problems if we played at our best and we go away full of confidence.

“We have shown how well we can pay and that we can be competitive against anyone.”

Bournemouth: Begovic, Smith, Carter-Vickers, Kelly, Rico, Lerma, Lewis Cook (Pearson 87), Billing, Stanislas, Surridge, Danjuma (Brooks 62). Unused substitutes: Mepham, Wilshere, Long, Riquelme, Travers, Anthony, Zemura.

Rotherham: Johansson, Ihiekwe, Wood, Robertson, Olosunde (Giles 79), Wing (Ladapo 78), Barlaser (Jozefzoon 69), Wiles, Harding (A MacDonald 87), Crooks, Smith (Hirst 78). Unused substitutes: S MacDonald, Sadlier, Clarke, Blackman.

Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).

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