Rotherham 2 Rochdale 3: Millers’ winning stadium record ends as McIntrye’s late strike earns points

Kevin McIntyre’s late strike dented the Millers’ 100 per cent start at their new home in an exciting encounter.

Rotherham made the early running and Alex Revell went close with an angled volley but the visitors grew in confidence and had the best chances of the first half.

Home captain Ian Sharps had to block on the line from Bobby Grant and Craig Morgan was on hand to do the same from Andrew Tutte’s follow-up.

Goalkeeper Scott Shearer beat out a stinger from Rhys Bennett but was beaten when Tutte set up Dele Adebola to score from close range in first-half stoppage time. It was the first league goal to be scored at the ground by a visiting team.

Rotherham regained the momentum in the second half and after substitute Lionel Ainsworth had an effort cleared off the line, Revell headed them level on 59 minutes from Ben Pringle’s cross.

Grant headed against the woodwork at the other end and the Millers took advantage of the let-off to take the lead on 66 minutes when substitute Daniel Nardiello stooped to head in.

McIntyre thumped the bar from 30 yards and Rochdale levelled from the penalty spot through Grant on 74 minutes after Revell was adjudged to have upended Jason Kennedy.

Buoyed by the goal, the visitors snatched the points when McIntyre scored a late winner.

Rotherham: Shearer, Hunt (Agard 83), Tonge, Morgan, Sharps, Evans (Ainsworth 46), Taylor, O’Connor, Pringle, Odejayi (Nardiello 57), Revell. Unused substitutes: Warrington, Mullins, Bradley, Rose.

Rochdale: Lillis, Bennett, McIntyre, Rafferty, R Edwards, P Edwards, Kennedy, Tutte, Donnelly, Adebola (Putterill 61), Grant. Unused substitutes: Barry-Murphy, Grimes, Pearson, Curran, Crainey, Smith.

Referee: S Martin (Staffs).