Ten Men Millers hold out Owls

This report from the official site:

The Owls twice came from behind in the second half to gain a point after the Millmoor outfit twice forged in front at Bracken Moor. United took a 21st minute lead after a quiet opening period, Andy Monkhouse hooking home after Michael Proctor slammed the ball against the bar from Martin Butler's pullback.

Wednesday fought back with Richard Evans firing wide from 18 yards while Talbot lifted the ball over the top from Lee Bullen's knockdown. The Owls also found Gary Montgomery equal to the task when they threatened in the air, the Millers keeper saving headers from Richard Wood and Ndumbu before thwarting Talbot again just after the restart - diving to his left to palm the youngster's shot away.

However Wednesday were level 11 minutes into the half, as the Millers were reduced to ten men in the incident which brought the Owls a penalty. Matt Hamshaw flicked the ball over Montgomery when Bullen's cross broke to him, forcing Nick Daws to handle to the line to prevent the ball dropping over the line.

Referee Evans had no hesitation in pointing to the spot before dismissing the Rotherham player-coach and Ndumbu stepped up to slide the penalty low into the left hand corner. Wednesday had to pull a second equaliser out of the bag in the 64th minute after United had gone back ahead when Butler lashed home from 15 yards three minutes earlier.

Talbot was in the right place to capitalise when Montgomery could only paw the ball out to him, lashing home powerfully from ten yards. Hamshaw fired past the post from Ndumbu's tee-up and saw a forceful angled effort halted by Montgomery - who also saved from Evans - while one lucky Stocksbridge resident became the new owner of the match ball after Proctor spooned his shot high out of the ground.

Half-time: Owls 0-1 Rotherham

Mark Smith's post match comments:
"It was a decent game. The lads approached it in the right manner and know now what they have to go and reproduce for the manager. I thought generally we were on top apart from a five-minute spell in the first half where they scored. We had numerous chances, most of which felt to Drew Talbot, but he had one of those days where he missed a few."

"We got back to 1-1 with a penalty and they had a player sent off. I thought we'd kick on then but they nicked one, so we had to dig again and Drew found the back of the net. We tried to batter them for the next 10 or 15 minutes but they held on."