Rotherham 0-1 Port Vale: Report

21 January 2012 18:01

Millers' promotion hopes dashed by defeat

Rotherham slumped to a disappointing 1-0 home defeat as Port Vale, which dealt their fading promotion challenge another crushing blow.

With a howling gale swirling round the Don Valley Stadium, the match was always more likely to be settled by mistakes rather than skill. And for both teams, the policy appeared to be shoot on sight and let the wind do the rest.

Rotherham's leading marksman Lewis Grabban saw three long-range efforts go over the bar or just wide and a Johnny Mullins header from Dale Tonge's free-kick was carried over the bar by the wind.

At the other end, Ben Williamson's wind-assisted shot caused problems for Rotherham keeper Rhys Taylor, who grabbed the ball at the second attempt. Robert Taylor twice went close for the visitors, and three minutes before the break Rhys Taylor turned Adam Yates' goal-bound shot out for a corner.

But when the breakthrough came 11 minutes into the second half it had nothing to do with the wind. Doug Loft scampered into the area and, just as he was about to cross, he was upended by Tonge's tackle and Marc Richards calmly converted the spot-kick.

And there was no way back for the home side. When substitute Brett Williams' late header was cleared off the line the disappointed home fans were already heading for the exits.


Rotherham 0-1 Port Vale: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.

Source: DSG