Millers lose to Shrews

Rotherham United ended their away trip to Shropshire with nine men after Drew Broughton and David Stockdale were sent off.

The sending off`s spoilt what was a close game between the team in fourth position in the league and the team just one above the relegation spots. Drew Broughton got his marching orders in the sixtieth minute for two yellows and ‘keeper, Stockdale got a straight red ten minutes later for a professional foul which also gave a penalty away.

The teams were very even and in the twentieth minute a poor back pass from Ian Sharps saw Stockdale having to race out of his goal to clear the danger. A few minutes later Grant Holt almost scored but the ball fell to Andy Nicholas who narrowly put it over his own bar for a corner. From the corner, ex Millers captain, Graham Coughlan, headed the ball wide under pressure from the visiting defenders. On the half hour mark, Stockdale took a free kick that that found the head of Nick Fenton but his header was weak and easily saved by the Shrewsbury ‘keeper, Matthew Gilks. And, just before half-time, the lively Jamie Green received the ball from a Nicholas long throw, but his effort was blocked on the line.

A few minutes into the second half Coughlan once again got the ball from a corner but his header went just wide. Not long after that, Broughton received his marching orders after referee, Horwood deemed a challenge on Kelvin Langmead was late and got his second yellow card. And, ten minutes later came the straight red for Stockdale when Kevin McIntyre was through on goal and the Millers on-loan ‘keeper clipped his heels and he was sent for an early bath. The referee pointed to the spot and the Millers put on Steven Cann from the bench in goal who was sent to wrong way by Holt for the only goal of the game. But, it was the nine-man Millers who looked like scoring when Ian Sharps flicked a ball onto Ryan Taylor, on for Reuben Reid, but the young forward failed to get the final touch. In the final minute, Cann made a one-handed save from Ben Davies.

To be honest, I thought the Millers were the better side and the home side did well to hold onto their slender lead against the nine men.