Port Vale 2 Rotherham United 0: Richards in at double as Scott bemoans costly errors from the Millers

“I thought we were the better side and yet we lost,” said Scott.

“We lost because we made two individual errors which you just can’t make in this league.

“The two goals were just, from my point of view standing there watching it, absolutely horrific really.

“The first goal was a really poor error and the second one is something which we’ve done six days this week and people just haven’t done their job.”

Marc Richards scored twice in the first half as Port Vale jumped above the Millers into the play-off places.

Richards first struck in the 17th minute with a 20-yard free-kick which slipped through goalkeeper Conrad Logan’s hands and into the corner of the net.

Richards headed home his second from eight yards out eight minutes later after former Miller Tom Pope had headed on Gareth Owen’s long clearance.

Vale had been second best up to the first goal but at 2-0 they were looking more assured and threatening, though Pope headed over at the far post.

Rotherham’s Lewis Grabban was twice denied by goalkeeper Tomlinson in the first half and had an effort ruled out for offside after the interval.

From a corner, Raynes sent a header towards the net and Grabban ensured it did only for Rotherham’s celebrations to be cut short by the flag.

Grabban continued to threaten but nothing would go his way.

Port Vale chief Micky Adams said: “We looked as though we had a resolve and a determination to get a clean sheet and not to concede, which was very pleasing.”

Port Vale: Tomlinson, Owen, McDonald, Chilvers, Kozluk, Griffith, Williamson (Rigg 72), Loft, Taylor, Pope, Richards (Little 84). Unused substitutes: Martin,Yates,Morsy.

Rotherham United: Logan, Mullins, Brown (Tonge 46), Raynes, Newey, Schofield (Holroyd 68), Taylor, Harrison, Evans, Revell, Grabban. Unused substitutes: Warrington, Bradley, Pringle.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Lewis Grabban.