Rotherham United 0 Southend United 4: Millers are put in their place as Scott blasts unacceptable display

“It was totally unacceptable from start to finish,” blasted Scott. “They were better then us in every department. My team was out-worked and out-fought and I’m very disappointed and upset about it. The players are well aware of that fact.

“One thing I’m going to have to take on board is that the players can’t take in the information or carry out what’s being asked of them. If that’s going to be the case than the players won’t be playing in the side.

“All we, the fans and chairman want is to see the team working hard and putting everything they can into it.”

Southend extended their own winning run to three games having gone into the game not having lost any of the last seven away games against the Millers.

Harrison and Tonge threatened for the Millers before left-back Peter Gilbert opened the scoring when he lashed home from the edge of the area after the defence had failed to clear a corner by the same player.

Brown had an effort cleared off the line before the break but early in the second half on-loan midfielder Michael Timlin doubled Southend’s lead with a powerful left-footed volley following a long throw. Following another long throw, Timlin made it 3-0 on the hour mark with an 18-yard strike.

Veteran striker Neil Harris completed the scoring with a tap-in soon after the third following a low cross from Leonard.

It had been a very rude awakening for the Millers against another of the sides fancied for promotion.

Rotherham United: Logan, Tonge, Raynes, Brown (Mullins 66), Newey, Marshall (Holroyd 46), Schofield (Bradley 67), Harrison, Evans, Revell, Grabban. Unused substitutes: Warrington, Pringle.

Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Phillips, Barker, Gilbert, Leonard (James-Lewis 79), Kalala, Ferdinand, Timlin, Dickinson, Harris. Unused substitutes: Bentley, Mohsni, Sturrock, Prosser.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Michael Timlin.