MK Dons 3 Rotherham United 2: Battling Millers are unhinged by Bamford

Against a side who had not lost at home, Rotherham were protecting an unbeaten away league record.

The visitors shouted in vain for a penalty when Tom Flanagan’s arm got in the way of Michael O’Connor’s shot.

Salt was rubbed into the perceived wound right on half-time when Rotherham were reduced to 10 men and went a goal down.

Patrick Bamford lifted the ball into the area and O’Connor tangled with Stephen Gleeson.

The referee awarded a penalty and showed a red card to O’Connor for preventing a goalscoring opportunity, meaning he misses tomorrow’s home game against Tranmere.

Shaun Williams just squeezed his penalty under the dive of Scott Shearer.

Rotherham went two down on 65 minutes with Shearer, who had made some good saves, at fault.

Daniel Powell delivered low from the right and the goalkeeper got both hands on the cross but could not hold on and Ben Reeves accepted the invitation to tap in.

Astonishingly, Rotherham’s 10 men pulled level with two goals in two minutes.

On 72 minutes, Craig Morgan’s cross saw Lee Frecklington on the run steer his header past the home goalkeeper.

Then a long ball from Shearer had Flanagan in trouble and – under pressure – his header looped beyond his own goalkeeper. Unfortunately all the Millers’ second-half efforts were undone by a stunning goal three minutes from time, Bamford striking a superb effort from 20 yards into the top corner.

“It’s soul destroying,” said manager Steve Evans.

“We went 2-0 down but got a goal back from Frecks and then a bit of good fortune for the first time in the afternoon.

“I’m very very proud of the players. We know who has been the best side, but it was the same against Peterborough and there aren’t a lot of sides who we haven’t been the best side against this year. This is harder to take than it was last week because when you’ve played that bad last week you expect to get beaten.”

MK Dons: Martin (McLoughlin 46), Otsemobor (Baldock 81), Williams, Flanagan, Lewington, Powell, Potter, Gleeson, Jason Banton, Bamford, Reeves (McLeod 81). Unused substitutes: Hodson, Smith, Rasulo, Carruthers.

Rotherham United: Shearer, Brindley, Morgan, Arnason, Skarz, Agard, Milsom, Pringle (Nardiello 89), Frecklington, O’Connor, Revell (Eaves 46). Unused substitutes: Mills, Bradley, Tubbs, Collin, Tidser.

Referee: R Madley (West Yorkshire).

Man of the match: Lee Frecklington.