Late strike sinks Millers

ROTHERHAM United were sunk by a late goal again as they slipped to defeat at Scunthorpe United in their final pre-season friendly.

Beaten in the closing minutes by Sunderland on Saturday, the Millers were pipped once more as sub Josh Morris netted five minutes from time to sentence them to a 2-1 loss after Richard Wood had cancelled out Kevin van Veen’s opener.

New signing Will Vaulks, the midfielder from Falkirk, was handed his debut and was at the heart of much of Rotherham’s best work as they enjoyed the better of the first half.

His sublime, raking ball picked out Joe Mattock for a shot that was well saved but Kevin van Veen tucked away the Iron’s opener on 18 minutes when Rotherham failed to clear.

A Vaulks back-heel freed Jerry Yates for a shot that brought a flying stop from Joe Anyon before the leveller soon on 23 minutes, more good approach play ending in a simple tap-in for Wood.

Scunthorpe came more into the game in the second half, with Kyle Wootton and Duane Holmes both bringing the best out of goalkeeper Lee Camp.

Rotherham weren’t able to pick their passes, their best chances falling to Danny Ward to which Anyon was equal to, and they were punished on 85 minutes when Morris drilled an angled winner past Camp.

Millers: Camp; Kelly, Broadfoot, Wood, Mattock; Forde, Vaulks (Smallwood 78), Forster-Caskey (Bailey-King 77), Frecklington; Ward, Yates.

Referee: Darren Drysdale

Attendance: 1,466