The Millers went into this game hoping to put the heartbreak of Sheffield Wednesday’s 96th minute winner in the Carabao Cup tie just 72 hours earlier & fielded the same side for the third game running in a 4-3-3 formation.

Rotherham:

Iversen

Robertson, Wood, Ihiekwe, Olasunde

Barlaser, Wiles, Crooks

Vassell, Smith, Ladapo

Tranmere:

Micky Mellon had to juggle his squad around after their 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers eleven days ago following the dismissals of Olly Banks & Corey Blackett-Taylor & in total made four changes in a 4-4-2 formation.

Davies

Ridehalgh, Ray, Monthe, Nelson

Jennings, Potter, Perkins, Morris

Payne, Mullin

First Half

After a pretty cagey first few minutes it was the hosts who had the first effort of any note when defender Clark Robertson ghosted in with a far post header from a Michael Smith cross but his effort was comfortably fielded by Scott Davies in the Rovers goal. The Millers striker Kyle Vassell had to leave the field after taking a knock which gave home fans an opportunity to see new signing Chiedozie Ogbene who only joined the club from Brentford on Thursday. Tranmere’s first serious foray into enemy territory came on 18 minutes when midfielder Kieran Morris took a Connor Jennings pass in his stride, cut inside & unleashed a low shot which Millers keeper Daniel Iversen saved well. Back came the Millers & after Barlaser hit the wall with a good free kick position young midfielder Ben Wiles almost grabbed his first Rotherham goal when a classy dribble inside the area saw his low effort hit the post with Davies beaten & Michael Smith failed to connect with his follow up effort. The home fans were treated to a couple of lightening breaks from new boy Ogbene but either the final ball or cross was lacking which could be said for both teams in an uninspiring first period.

HALF TIME: MILLERS 0 ROVERS 0

Millers boss Paul Warne can’t have been pleased with his side’s 1st half showing & replaced the off colour Barlaser with ex Ross County midfielder Jamie Lindsay at the break as he looked for more creativity in midfield.

Another Ogbene break straight after the restart resulted in Rovers Ridehalgh heading his cross behind for a corner but it was Tranmere who almost took the lead on 53 minutes through Paul Mullin whose shot from range was brilliantly parried for a corner by Iversen. Ogbene was getting a lot of joy down the left flank & on the hour his run & pinpoint cross was wastefully blasted over the top by midfielder Matt Crooks when he really should have scored. Jennings curled a presentable effort wide on 66 minutes after being fed by the industrious Mullin as Rovers tried to respond but it was the hosts that grabbed the advantage on 73 minutes & it was a first goal in League football for young Ben Wiles who finished off a good passing move involving Olasunde & Smith. The visitors responded very positively & on 79 minutes a drive by ex-Millers midfielder Darren Potter was only just in front of a diving Stephen Payne who was starting to get very busy in the dying minutes of this game.

The next chance though went the hosts way with Davies saving well from Ladapo & just after another Millers break was lashed just wide by Crooks but Payne would not be denied after the fourth official heralded 5 extra minutes. In the first of these minutes a Payne effort was fumbled by Iversen & his follow up effort was hacked clear by Crooks but in the 95th minutes a goalmouth scramble in the Millers penalty area wasn’t dealt with by the Millers defence & Payne hooked home from close range to give his side a share of the spoils.

FULL TIME: MILLERS 1 ROVERS 1

Millers boss Paul Warne does a lot of things right as regards team spirit, work rate etc but after the SECOND time in 72 hours that his side has conceded in the 95th minute or later game management must be high on his list for training this week. Performance wise this wasn’t the Millers at their best with too many players particularly Smith Barlaser & Ladapo not at their best but full back Olasunde continues to impress as did flying wide man Ogbene but with so many new players it will take time for them all to gel.

Micky Mellon should be delighted with his patched up team’s performance & never say die attitude in this game. A result & performance like this will do the teams confidence the world of good in adapting to the higher division. A strong defensive display along with good performances higher up the pitch particularly from the excellent Perkins & goalscorer Payne warranted a deserved draw here.

words Ian Bradley, D3D4 Rotherham United correspondent