Defensively we weren't good enough, blasts Rotherham United boss Warne

Rotherham United have not won for six games now after defeat to the division's new leaders saw their tumble from the play-off positions continue.
Millers' Joe Mattock against Wigan. (Pictures: Tony Johnson)Millers' Joe Mattock against Wigan. (Pictures: Tony Johnson)
Millers' Joe Mattock against Wigan. (Pictures: Tony Johnson)

A third successive home defeat for the Millers have slipped to 12th place after sitting in the top six at the start of the month.

“I’m obviously disappointed to lose the game,” said Millers manager Paul Warne.

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“We played against a very good side. I know it’s early on but it’s the best side that have played here. We’ve played the top two, we deserved something out of the game last week and I felt we possibly deserved something out of the game this week.

Millers boss Paul WarneMillers boss Paul Warne
Millers boss Paul Warne

“At 3-1, if we could have got a goal back and kept knocking on the door, it might have took a different turn.

“The lads were pushing to get back into the game so I can’t question the lads’ character but, defensively, we weren’t good enough.”

Wigan took the lead in the 14th minute when Will Grigg headed in Max Power’s free-kick, but Rotherham were level within two minutes.

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Kieffer Moore headed the ball into the path of David Ball who cut inside and despatched a curling shot from the edge of the area into the top corner.

Millers boss Paul WarneMillers boss Paul Warne
Millers boss Paul Warne

The visitors were back in front 12 minutes later following a sustained spell of pressure, Alex Bruce hooking the ball home after Lee Frecklington had headed off the line.

On the hour, the game was put beyond Rotherham’s reach when Michael Jacobs scored a third for Athletic.

Rotherham United: Rodak, Cummings, Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock, Towell (Williams 62), Potter (Vaulks 75), Frecklington, Ball (Yates 81), Moore, Forde. Unused substitutes: O’Donnell, Ajayi, Clarke-Harris, Newell.

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Wigan Athletic: Jones, Byrne, Dunkley, Bruce, James, Morsy, Lee Evans, Jacobs (Gary Roberts 90), Power, Colclough (Massey 83), Grigg (Toney 78). Unused substitutes: Elder, Perkins, Thomas, Sarkic.

Referee: S Stockbridge (Tyne & Wear).