Rotherham 1 Accrington S 0: Harrad proving to be perfect fit for Millers

The on-loan striker from Bury notched the winner from the penalty spot to nudge the Millers above their visitors and towards the League Two play-off places.

The decisive moment came on 27 minutes. Mark Bradley was bought down in the area by Bryan Hughes and Harrad smashed the resulting spot kick high into the net, adding to his goal in the win at Southend four days before.

Despite new manager Paul Cook watching from the stand, Accrington didn’t mount a serious attack of note in the first half as the Millers made all the running with the wind behind them.

Alex Revell flashed ahead just wide, Sam Wood had a goal-bound effort blocked and the lively Harrad’s shot on the turf was deflected over after good work down the flank by Bradley.

Jason Taylor also stung the hands of goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin shortly before the interval.

Ex-Miller Danny Coid blazed over the bar from Accrington’s first real chance early in the second half but just past the hour mark Dunbavin kept them in the game with an excellent stop from Harrad’s fierce point-blank header.

On-loan winger Kieron Cadogan, the architect of that chance, put a decent opportunity over as Rotherham saw out the game with relative comfort.

Rotherham United: R Taylor, Bradley, Naylor, Mullins, Griffiths; Cadogan (Grabban 83), Harrison, J Taylor, Wood; Revell, Harrad. Unused substitutes: Warrington, Tonge, Cresswell, Schofield.

Accrington Stanley: Dunbavin; Winnard, Coid (Barnett 65), Nsiala, Joyce; Murphy, McIntyre, Evans; Smith, Hughes, Armond (Linfield 77). Unused substitutes: Murdoch, Guthrie, Bender.

Referee: N Miller (County Durham).