Southend United 1 Rotherham United 0: Sturrock blow for Millers

They may have been the better side in the first half but in the second half looked nothing like a team challenging near the top.

Moore, claiming it was a performance lacking pride and passion, added: "It simply wasn't good enough and there were performances which were not acceptable. The fans don't deserve that and I'm not tolerating that sort of display."

New loan signing Mark Randall, from Arsenal, must have wondered what he had let himself in for as he watched the final 70 minutes from the sidelines.

The midfielder injured his shoulder after 20 minutes when going in for a header. Referee Phil Crossley awarded a free-kick but erroneously failed to give a penalty even though it happened just inside the area.

Randall soon went off holding his shoulder, his debut ended before he could manage any real involvement and he looks set to miss tomorrow's home game against Macclesfield.

The goal came in the fifth minute when Blair Sturrock, the son of manager Paul, used his chest to divert a centre from Josh Simpson in off the far post.

Rotherham, with striker Ryan Taylor making his first start of the season and justifying his selection, had the better of the first half but did not create much in the way of chances. Kevin Ellison should have done better from 12 yards.

They created next to nothing after half-time and were relieved that Sturrock and Barry Corr wasted good opportunities.

Southend United: Morris; Clohessy, Bilel, Barker (Coughlan 80), Gilbert; Grant, Simpson, Timlin, Hall (Soares 85); Sturrock (Crawford 85), Coor. Unused substitutes: Zaaboub, Prosser, Fairhurst, Evans.

Rotherham United: Warrington; Mullins, Geohaghon, Fenton, Newey; Law (Pope 85), J Taylor, Randall (Harrison 20), Ellison (Marshall 70); R Taylor, Le Fondre. Unused substitutes: Annerson, Ashworth, Bradley, Warne.

Referee: P Crossley (Kent).

Man of the match: Ryan Taylor.

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