Sharps strikes for victorious Millers

SKIPPER Ian Sharps’ first goal of the season earned Rotherham United a 1-0 victory at Exeter City this afternoon.

Sharps headed the winner from a corner by Ben Pringle four minutes before half time to seal a deserved three points for Steve Evans’ depleted side.

They had the better of the first period and then defended excellently after the interval to protect the lead at a rain-sodden St James’s Park.

Alan Gow hit the bar for Exeter but Jason Taylor and Michael O’Connor went close at the other end and Johnny Mullins, recalled from his loan spell at Oxford, forced a fine reflex save before Sharps struck.

Rotherham allowed the home side precious few sights of goal in the second half and the only blot on the afternoon was a straight red card for substitute Mitchell Rose in the dying minutes for a tackle.

Exeter: Krysiak, Tully (Dawson 87), Moore-Taylor, Baldwin, Coles (capt), Sercombe, Doherty (Keohane 30, O’Flynn 59), Bennett, Oakley, Gow, Cureton

Millers: Warrington, Bradley, Ridehalgh, Sharps (capt), Mullins, Cameron (O’Connell 90), O’Connor, Taylor, Nardiello (Rose 85), Pringle, Revell

Referee: Oliver Langford (West Mids)

Attendance: 3,954 (205 away)