Rotherham United 2 – Mullin (pen 4). Nemane (12)

Newport County 2 – Biggins (pen 28), Garner (54)

Rotherham United missed out on the opportunity to pull themselves away from the bottom rungs of the table this evening after letting a two goal lead slip to get just a point.

The Millers took an early lead after Aaron Nemane won a free-kick which he took sending the ball into the area which saw it bounce and hit the outstretched arm of Joe Thomas with referee Callum Jones not hesitating to point to the penalty spot. Up stepped Paul Mullin to hit the ball into the back of the net to give the hosts an early lead. Nice work from the Millers saw Mullin find Jamie Jellis the midfielder putting the ball just past the upright before a free-kick fell to Nemane who found Jili Buyabu just outside the box his shot going high and wide. On twelve minutes a super ball through from the lively Jayce Fitzgerald found Nemane who who drilled it past Jordan Wright in the Newport goal to double Rotherham’s lead. The first yellow of the game went to Jellis for a foul on Cameron Norman. Newport’s first foray up field came on the twenty-third minute when Matt Dibley-Dias tried his luck from some eighteen yards out which didn’t bother Millers’ ‘keeper Julian Eyestone. Just before the half-hour mark Michael Adu-Poku went down under a challenge from Hamish Douglas the referee again pointing to the spot this time for the visitors. Harrison Biggins took the ball and although Eyestone went the right way it ended up in the net to make it two-one. Mullin and Dom Iorfa both had good chances and both ended up being good saves from Wright. The rest of the half was full of fouls and free-kicks and just as the board was going up for a further three minutes players from both sides were involved in a skirmish with it being decided that Paul Mullin and Ged Garner were the ringleaders and both saw yellow cards (though we all know that really Cameron Norman wasn’t totally innocent in what happened).

A change at half-time for the visitors saw Matt Smith come on for Alfie Merritt.

Kian Spence had the first chance of the second half but saw his shot sail over the crossbar before Paul Mullin created a chance for Jamie Jellis who brought off a great save from Jordan Wright with the ball falling to Dom Iorfa who also made Wright earn his money with a great save. Jellis won a corner which came in for Iorfa who found Mullin the Millers forward seeing his shot saved before Newport went down the other end and Harrison Biggins brought off a good save from Julian Eyestone. Minutes later Michael Adu-Poku which Eyestone fumbled the ball falling for Biggins whose shot was pushed away by the Millers’ ‘keeper but Gerard Garner was there to get the equaliser. Both Ciaran Brennan and Adu-Poku had chances which the Millers defence dealt with before changes for the visitors saw Michael Adu-Poku and Gerard Barner make way for Yahya Bamba and former Millers loanee Kion Etete. And Etete was straight into the action when a Biggins cross found him in the box but his shot went over the crossbar. At the other end a nice ball from Mullin found Joe Rafferty

who saw his shot go wide before Klaidi Lolos replaced Jili Buyabu for the Millers. Biggins and Etete combined again and again Etete’s shot went wide and there was another change for the Millers with Denzel Hall limping off and Kieran Nwenya taking his place. A super cross into the box from Mullin couldn’t find a red shirt which was followed by Tom Bradshaw taking over from Kian Spence. A challenge on Etete saw Hamish Douglas booked with the resulting set-piece eventually falling to Kyle Cameron who saw his shot just going over with an empty net in front of him.

Again the Millers had chances – again they didn’t take them. Maybe more shooting practice is needed before we take on Shrewsbury at home on Saturday.

Attendance – 6,524 with 216 Newport fans making the trek from Wales

Referee – Cameron Jones