Boos greet Millers home loss

The defeat leaves Andy Scott’s men without a win their last six games.

Despite the Millers dominating much of the second half they could not find a way to cancel out Justin Richards’ eighth minute goal.

The win for the Brewers sees them leapfrog Rotherham who slip to 11th in the table.

Following a first half that lacked in quality, four early substitutions in the second half brought the game to life. Although Rotherham were camped out deep in the Albion half they could not manage to find a way to put the ball in the back of the net.

Burton Albion took the lead after eight minutes with Richards picking up one of the easiest goals that he will score all season.

Cleveland Taylor was given too much space down the right hand side and was allowed to get cross the ball into the box, which was deflected across the area, leaving keeper Andy Warrington stranded as Richards converted into the empty net with his thigh.

The first half reflected the dismal weather over Don Valley Stadium, a cold, wet and uninspired 45 minutes - only broken by the constant stoppages for throw-ins.

The half was summed up perfectly by the Millers’ leading scorer, Lewis Grabban, picking the ball up in the Burton half and turning his back to goal to try and find support from his team mates – met with groans from the home crowd.

Grabban however was the brightest spark for the Millers, showing more desire than a lot of his teammates, chasing down lost causes while others looked unmotivated.

The Millers started the second half the better with Grabban skimming Ross Atkins’ bar with a shot form 20 yards.

The first 15 minutes after the break saw a string of substitutions for both sides with each manager sensing the game was not yet over.

From that point Rotherham looked like a different team to the first half, bringing back some of their early season form.

The Millers began to control the game with Burton unable to get out of their own half.

Gareth Evans stung the fingertips of Atkins in the Brewers’ goal after beating three players on a mazy run and cut into the penalty area to test the keeper.

The chances kept coming for the home team with Evans, Mullins and Tonge all having attempts on goal.

However none of the Rotherham players could find a way through the Albion defence, who soaked up all the pressure thrown at them as they changed to a more defensive formation.

Albion’s chances were few and far between in the second half but they still managed to look threatening as they hit United on the counter attack. Warrington was forced to make a smart save from Chris Palmer as they game was drawing to a close.

The remainder of the game was played out with the Millers desperately trying to find a way through but lacking the necessary firepower up front to convert the chances they were making.

Rotherham United: A. Warrington, D. Tonge, M. Raynes, J. Mullins, T. Newey, B. Pringle (G. Evans 55 ), D. Harrison, J. Taylor, D. Schofield (M. Marshall 58), A. Revell (C), L. Grabban.

Unused: C. Logan, L. Foster, P. Warne.

Burton Albion: R. Atkins, A. Corbett, D. Blanchett, T. James, R. Austin. C. Taylor (C. Palmer 60), J. McGrath (C), A. Bolder, J. Philips, J. Richards (A. Webster 73), B. Key (C. Zola 53)

Unused: K. Poole, K. Amankwaah,

Referee: A. Haines

Assistants: I. Dudley, S. Duncan, D. Benton (4th official)

Goals: Burton: J. Richards (8)

Yellows: Rotherham: D. Harrison (31)

Burton: A. Bolder (62) J Phillips (64

Attendance: 3645 (344 away)