Rotherham United 0 Southend United 3: Disjointed Millers are blasted for lack of desire and passion

They are now 14 points below leaders Gillingham after Southend extended their unbeaten record at Rotherham to nine games.

The last time they did lose in Rotherham was in 1980 when the Millers won 2-1 and both goals were penalties from attacking full-back Gerry Forrest, a club guest at the game.

His presence did not have the desired effect and Rotherham United assistant manager Paul Raynor admitted: “I can find no positives if I’m honest after that performance.

“Sometimes it’s easy to find positives in games but I can’t find one.

“We were disjointed. There seemed to be a lack of desire, lack of passion and we got beaten at our own game.

“Southend were excellent, they worked hard. Even their gifted players worked really hard for their team.”

Victory was all the more sweeter for Rotherham local lad Ryan Cresswell, who had been released by Evans, and who, before the game, was handed a fine reception by the Millers faithful – a gesture he clearly appreciated.

Southend won through two goals from Watford loanee Britt Assombalonga and one from David Martin.

Southend opened the scoring when Martin’s cross was headed in from just under the bar by 19-year-old striker Assombalonga.

Assombalonga grabbed his second after brushing aside the challenge of central defender Ian Sharps before firing into the top corner for his ninth goal this season.

Assombalonga’s shot was then touched onto the bar by Scott Shearer and Martin headed home the rebound.

Kayode Odejayi and Evans went close for the Millers in the first half with shots from outside the area. At half-time, Lionel Ainsworth was replaced by Daniel Nardiello but despite the Millers having a couple of shots blocked and a penalty appeal rejected, the visitors took command after taking a 52nd-minute lead.

Rotherham United: Shearer, Hunt, Morgan, Sharps, Harris, Ainsworth (Nardiello 46), Taylor, O’Connor, Evans (Noble 64), Pringle, Odejayi (Denton 57). Unused substitutes: Warrington, Tonge, Bradley, Agard.

Southend United: P Smith, Clohessy, Cresswell (Coughlan 81), Martin, Barker, Hurst, Timlin, Straker, Tomlin, Assombalonga (Clarke-Harris 87), Leonard. Unused substitutes: Eastwood, Bentley, Paxman, Benyon, Woodyard.

Referee: T Harrington (Cleveland).

Man of the match: Britt Assombalonga.