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Youth team goalie James Salisbury replaced Lui who was serving his one-match ban following his sending off at Sheffield United, Gordon Armstrong was given a second reserve game of the season, and with Andy Payton otherwise engaged Burnley lined up (in 4-4-2):
James Salisbury; Andrew Leeson, John Williamson, Mark McGregor, Gordon Armstrong; Mark Rasmussen (Matthew O'Neill 70), Joel Pilkington, Brad Maylett; Dimitri Papadopoulos, Tony Ellis (Anthony Shandran 74). Subs not used: Michael Hale, Andrew Waine, Liam Eves.
No Earl Davis then on the field, but he and his youth team chums were watching from the stand. Not for long though as it was soon realised that someone had forgotten to organise any ballboys, so the somewhat embarrassed young stars of the future were banished to the four corners of the ground. How are the mighty fallen indeed!
Rotherham fielded an experienced and physically domineering side with only one player, 19 year old former Manchester United trainee Rhodri Jones, under 22. Nicky Daws, seemingly no longer a Clarets target rumour probably due to his massive bulk, returned to plague us once more with his quick thinking and shrewd passing, and Portuguese left-winger Jose Miranda created problems all evening with his speedy runs from defence.
The Millers in fact used this tactic of soaking up pressure and then swiftly counterattacking throughout the match. The fluid 3-4-3 formation that has served Ronnie Moore's teams so well over the last three sesaons seemed to baffle the Clarets' defence, and in fact the defeat could have been heavier.
However, it could have been very different had Lenny Johnrose not squandered the best chance of the evening in the 17th minute. Papa's speed got him into the box and he went down under a fairly innocuous challenge from Daws. Penalty, much to Rotherham's dismay. Papa picked the ball up and was striding towards the spot when Cap'n Lenny intervened just as he had with John Williamson against Port Vale. Unfortunately for Lenny and to Dimitri's disgust Gray made a fine save diving to his right.
After that Burnley failed to test Gray. The build up was patient and we passed the ball around quite well, but Rotherham were able to cope without breaking sweat. In fact they came closest to scoring with three spectacular attempts to chip Salisbury as he wandered Chrichton-like off his line. Two were well saved by the back-peddling goalie, and one flew just over.
Rotherham finally took the lead in the 43rd minute with yet another swift break which left us totally exposed at the back. The central defenders were nowhere to be seen as Hudson was played clean through to round Salisbury and score easily. Lenny then went close with a looping header, but 1-0 down at half-time was a fair reflection of the play.
No substitutions for the second period, but two positional changes were used as Rasmussen and Maylett swapped flanks, and Armstrong went to central defence with McGregor going to left-back.
Rasmussen had a couple of good attempts on goal but Rotherham remained comfortable. Their swift breaks almost brought a second goal in the 63rd minute but Barker hit the outside of the post after rounding Salisbury. The next three minutes though brought the "crowd" to life as the referee, Mr Evans, became the centre of attention.
For once, the Rotherham defence was caught out and Papa was left bearing down on goal. He was pulled back by the shirt by one defender and then flattened by a second. Whistle! A sending off? No, Mr Evans from his perfect view of forty yards away decided that Dimitri had dived and promptly booked him! Two minutes later Dimitri again burst into the area, was clipped from behind, and went down. What now? A penalty? Papa sent off? No, play on and no booking!
In fairness to the referee it must be tempting to give the defender the benefit of the doubt when dealing with forwards like Papadopoulos. Dimitri has played so little competitive football in this country that he has yet to get used to the more physical side. He does tend to go down under the slightest challenge. Yet it only takes a slight knock to send someone spawling when running at speed. Like Ian Moore, of whom referees are clearly wary, if he could stay on his feet more in open play he would surely win more genuine penalties when in the box.
The last ten minutes saw substitutes O'Neill and Shandran go close, and Papadopoulos spooned the ball over after Gray had fumbled a Shandran shot, but it was Rotherham who still looked the more likely to score. In the last minute of added time Warne finished off a well worked move when he shot low past Salisbury from 15 yards to put an emphatic end to the Reserves recent fine unbeaten run.
Rotherham: Ian Gray, Chris Beech, Rhodri Jones, Nicky Daws, David Artell, Guy Branston, Darren Garner, Danny Hudson, Ritchie Barker, Paul Warne, Jose Miranda.