Oxford United 2 Rotherham United 1: Former Miller Wilder deals crushing blow to Rotherham’s cause

Former Rotherham player Chris Wilder saw his side take the lead through Scott Rendell seconds before half-time.

Midfielder Asa Hall doubled their lead seven minutes into the second period when he fired a cut-back from Andy Whing into the roof of the net.

The Millers got one back seven minutes from time when Adam Chapman fouled Jason Taylor in the area and Lewis Grabban fired home what proved to be just a consolation penalty in a game manager Andy Scott had said was a ‘must-win’ encounter.

The sides met on the opening day of the season and of the Rotherham starters that day only three were in Satuday’s 11 – midfielders Danny Harrison and Rhys Taylor along with Grabban who got the only goal of that match.

In the first half, both sides were on full alert when it came to defensive duties when the opposition went on the attack. Oxford still looked dangerous and twice Michael Raynes did well to cut out threatening centres.

Rotherham went close when Revell headed the ball across towards the left where Evans closed in and struck a volley just over.

In the second minute of stoppage time, the Millers fell behind when Bradley’s pass was intercepted and Peter Leven struck a long ball downfield for Rendell to roll his shot inside Taylor’s right-hand post.

Things then got worse for the Millers when they went two down as Hall struck and Raynes and Rhys Taylor prevented it from becoming 3-0 .

Grabban’s penalty gave the Millers a chance but Kieron Cadogan saw his shot cleared off the line in stoppage time.

Oxford United: Clarke, Whing, Duberry, Wright, Davis, Chapman, Hall, Morgan, Johnson (Montano 70), Rendell, Leven. Unused substitutes: Brown, Tonkin, Worley, Wilson.

Rotherham United: Rhys Taylor, Bradley (Tonge 89), Mullins, Raynes, Wood, Grabban, Harrison, Ja Taylor, Evans (Cadogan 55), Pringle (Hoskins 65), Revell. Unused substitutes: Warrington, Schofield.

Referee: T Kettle (Rutland).

Man of the match: Michael Raynes.