Walsall 1 Rotherham United 1: Measure of balance over year will appease Evans

ROTHERHAM United manager Steve Evans was left frustrated by his team emerging with only one point from their trip to Walsall despite the outcome meaning the Millers stretched their unbeaten league run to eight games.

Daniel Nardiello had put the visitors ahead but their advantage was cancelled out by Sam Mamtom late in the first half.

Evans commented: “I have now had the chance to look at the match DVD and I am even more frustrated given the two biggest decisions of the day went against us. It could have been very different.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am certainly not questioning the integrity of the match referee.

“He is a good referee, a very honest guy, but I do believe he will be disappointed when he himself looks at the DVD of the match.

“As a manager you have to believe these type of decisions even themselves out over the season, but (now) it is very frustrating.

“We got ourselves a goal in front, looked by far the better team and more likely to score a second than concede. Credit to Walsall, they are a good team and they made it a more even contest late on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I still felt if any team was going to get a winner it would have been us and full credit to their goalkeeper who had a great save from young Tom Eaves late on.”

Rotherham had looked the more threatening side in the opening stages and deservedly went ahead.

Lee Frecklington lofted a cross towards the far post where Alex Revell climbed highest to head down and Nardiello got in front of his marker to send a deft header back across Richard O’Donnell.

Walsall were level within 10 minutes, Mantom striking a volley from outside the area which found its way through a ruck of players and the unsighted Scott Shearer tried unsuccessfully to keep it out with his legs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Walsall: O’Donnell, James Chambers, Downing, Butler, Taylor, Adam Chambers, Featherstone, Mantom, Baxendale (Lalkovic 64), Hewitt (Westcarr 65), Sawyers (Hemmings 85). Unused substitutes: Purkiss,Benning,Roberts,McQuilkin.

Rotherham United: Shearer, Brindley (Bradley 25), Arnason, Morgan, Skarz, Agard (Eaves 72), Frecklington, Milsom, Pringle, Nardiello, Revell (Tubbs 82). Unused substitutes: Mills, Collin, Tidser, Rowe.

Referee: S Attwell (Warwickshire).

Man of the match: Daniel Nardiello.

Related topics: