Northampton Town v Rotherham United: Millers suffer early away-day blues

Seeking to build upon their opening day win over Burton Albion at the New York Stadium, the Millers bossed the second half but could not make their pressure tell and paid the price as Alex Nichols swooped to score the winner five minutes from time.

Steve Evans’ side slipped behind on 26 minutes when they were caught out by a quick throw and Chris Hackett despatched an unstoppable left-footed drive past goalkeeper Scott Shearer from 20 yards.

Jason Taylor stung the hands of Lee Nichols at the other end but the Millers were lucky not to fall further behind when Ben Harding’s shot clattered the underside of the crossbar.

Stung into action, Rotherham pressed up to half time and Daniel Nardiello forced Northampton’s Rotherham-born defender David Artell to head off the line before the equaliser arrived on 41 minutes. Jason Taylor picked out Kayodi Odejayi down the left and he set up Ben Pringle for a measured finish from just outside the D. It was the midfielder’s second goal in as many games.

In the second half, substitute Kieran Agard and Pringle brought the best out of the home goalkeeper as the Millers forced a string of corners but the hosts delivered the sucker punch against the run of play when they broke for Nichols to round Shearer and tap in the decider.

Northampton Town: Lee Nichols; Johnson, Widowson, Artell, Langmead; Hackett, Guttridge (Akinfenwa, 66), Tozer, Harding; Platt, A Nichols. Unused substitutes: Charles, Denontagnac, Snedker, Mukendi, Wilson, Moult.

Rotherham United: Shearer; Bradley, Wilson, Arnason, Sharps; Taylor, O’Connor (Evans, 63), Noble, Pringle; Odejayi (Revell, 78), Nardiello (Agard, 55). Unused substitutes: Warrington, Mullins, Ainsworth, Rose.

Referee: T Kettle (Rutland).