Fruitless day for Millers at Forest

Danny Collins’ first-half header against his old club wasn’t enough, with the hosts hitting back to win 2-1 through Matt Mills and Michail Antonio and leave Steve Evans’ men without a point from their opening two Championship games.

The Millers hadn’t won at the City Ground since 1955 and they were on course to end that run when they got their noses in front after only 13 minutes. Joe Newell, starting this time in midfield to accommodate debutant Joe Mattock at left back, swung in a corner and a gleeful Collins rose to thump a header past Dorus De Vries.

Although Jamie Ward brought a good early save from Kelle Roos and Tyler Walker had an effort chalked off for offside, Forest were frustrated and thrown out of their rhythm by Rotherham in the first half.

Matt Derbyshire, Jordan Bowery and Lee Frecklington all went close and the Millers were seconds away from getting to the interval in front when the hosts equalised. Danger man Danny Ward wriggled to the byline and his cross was met with a good header from Matt Mills.

The expected Forest second-half surge didn’t materialise immediately and Rotherham settled well again after the break. They had claims for a penalty for handball in an early scramble.

Roos did well to deny the rampaging Chris Burke at his near post but was at fault for the equaliser on the hour. The big stopper failed to hold onto a cross and when it dropped onto the crossbar and into the penalty area,  Antonio was on hand on blast in.

The keeper recovered to deny Michael Mancienne as Forest sought a third while Evans brought on Danny Ward and Aidy White to try to add more punch to the attack. Centre-half Greg Halford also joined them for the latter stages but they couldn’t find an eqaualiser.

Forest: De Vries, Lichaj, Mancienne, Mills, Wilson, Lansbury, Ward (Blackstock 63), Vaughan, Burke, Walker (Oliver Burke 85), Antonio,

Millers: Roos, Buxton, Mattock, Halford, Collins, Maguire (White 72), Frecklington, Smallwood (Thorpe 81), Newell, Bowery (Danny Ward 72), Derbyshire,

Referee: Darren Bond (Lancs)

Attendance: 19,885