Tough debut for Jamal Blackman as Rotherham United pay the penalty

On a day in which his side dominated but could not make the breakthrough due to a combination of excellent keeping from debutant Vaclav Hladky - making his debut - and a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal - they endrred further angst when the game was settled on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Moor Lane.

Spot-kicks arrived after a last-gasp leveller from substitute Matt Crooks in the 96th minute cancelled out Salford's opener in the 84th minute with their only effort on target from the spot.

It came when debutant Jamal Blackman, who produced an indecisive, nervy performance despite having little to do, hesitated in coming off his line following a ball over the top and when he did, he caught substitute and one-time Rotherham loanee Tom Elliot and referee James Oldham pointed to the spot.

It was a gift Salford were never likely to pass up, with ex-Miller Ian Henderson - who helped himself to two goals on Rotherham's last competitive outing on March 7 when in the colours of Rochdale - seeing his spot-kick squirm under the body of Blackman.

More drama was to come thanks to Crooks ahead of a penalty shoot-out which saw Blackman unable to atone for his error with Salford scoring all four of their spot-kicks.

By contrast, United scored just two with Kyle Vassell hitting the post and Joe Mattock seeing his effort blocked by the excellent Hladky.

In their respective teams' first competitive outing in 182 days, the understandable pre-match concern of both managers would have been that both sides might succumb to a dose of ring-rust.

In the event, it was Salford - who opted for guile up front in Henderson as opposed to the brawn of Elliot - who had the issues and produced a patchy first-half performance with no threat on the goal of Blackman whatsoever.

The loanee was one of three close-season arrivals making their bow for Rotherham - with Wes Harding and Kieran Sadlier handed starts with Viktor Johansson and Angus MacDonald on the bench.

The vestiges of quality and eye for a goal which characterised Sadlier's time at Doncaster came to the fore when he fizzed a well-struck shot wide and showed some nice touches, while Hladky showcased his aptitude on two occasions to make key saves.

The first arrived on twenty minutes when he made an important block from close in to deny Chiedozie Ogbene, who looked like he had the beating of Salford left-back Ibou Touray with winger also not far away minutes earlier when he cut inside and curled a shot wide.

The Czech keeper then did well to tip over a rising goalbound drive from Jamie Lindsay after slick work from Ogbene and Freddie Ladapo and also held a firm header from Michael Ihiekwe - making his first appearance since the end of February - after more Millers pressure.

At the other end, Henderson was noticeably quiet and fellow danger men Ash Hunter and Bruno Andrade were kept in check.

The Millers' assertion continued on the restart with an important last-ditch challenge from ex-Huddersfield defender Tom Clarke thwarting Lindsay and Hladky continuing his impressive debut by tipping over Harding's goalbound effort.

Salford, by contrast, were waiting for their first effort on goal, let alone on target.

Hladky's exploits continued when he blocked with his legs to deny Ogbene, while Sadlier fired over when well placed.

The frustration on the touchline was mainly displayed by Alexander, although it was not exclusively his with Warne entitled to be exasperated at the sight of his Millers side not making the breakthrough despite a number of opportunities.

All the while, there was the nagging fear that Salford might just create one telling chance to punish the Millers.

A couple of promising free-kick situations were not grasped, but the threat did start to creep up a touch.

Then the game's definitive moment arrived courtesy of Blackman in a nightmare moment for the Chelsea custodian.

The Millers laid siege for an equaliser late on and went close when Salford captain Ash Eastman headed against his own bar before the leveller at the death when Crooks' effort was deflected in as the hosts appealed in vain for a foul on Hladky.

But it was Salford's day with Touray, Henderson, Gibson and Thomas-Asante scoring for Salford and only Ladapo and Sadlier netting from the spot for the visitors.

Salford City: Hladky; Threlkeld, Clarke, Eastham, Touray; Gibson, Lowe, Hunter (Turnbull 87); Andrade (Thomas-Asante 79), Henderson, Armstrong (Elliot 63). Substitutes unused: Hayes, Wilson, Denny, Golden.

Rotherham United: Blackman; Harding (Jones 76), Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock; Ogbene, S McDonald, Lindsay (Crooks 71), Sadlier; Smith (Vassell 57), Ladapo. Substitutes unused: Johansson, Thompson, Robertson, A MacDonald.

Referee: J Oldham (Derbyshire).