Match ends, Rotherham United 3, Bristol City 0.
RotherhamRotherham United3Bristol CityBristol City0
Jonson Clarke-Harris' brace guided Rotherham to a crucial win over fellow Championship strugglers Bristol City.
Clarke-Harris scored a curling effort from the edge of the box to put the Millers ahead against the run of play.
The striker then confidently smashed in a penalty after Kirk Broadfoot was brought down by Jonathan Kodjia.
Kieran Agard glanced a header just wide for City, but Lee Frecklington's close-range finish sealed back-to-back league wins for the Millers.
The visitors bossed the opening stages, but Rotherham struck first when Clarke-Harris sent a left-footed curling effort into the far corner.
United keeper Lee Camp had to make a smart save to deny Agard when one-on-one as the hosts' defence opened up.
But Clarke-Harris confidently smashed in from the penalty spot to double the lead.
Agard headed just wide against his former side from Luke Freeman's cross as City looked to find a way back into the match.
Clarke-Harris almost had a first-half hat-trick when he met Frecklington's cross, but Frankie Fielding clawed his volley out.
City dominated possession for much of the match, but struggled to carve out chances and Frecklington capped the win for Neil Redfearn's side, turning in Danny Ward's ball across the box.
Rotherham manager Neil Redfearn: "I felt for 10, 15 minutes we looked a bit shaky and they were really bright. They were really good for 20-25 minutes. We weren't allowed to play well and credit to them for that.
"The first goal came at a good time. I thought after Jonson's first goal we really settled into it. They always looked under pressure.
"When we went a goal up we didn't have to chase the game. We had a good shape to us and broke quite well on them but we kept a high line at the back which was important.
"It's a couple of wins but it's a long old season. The signs are good. When there's nothing in games, like Leeds last week, we look mentally tough as a group.
Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill: "We've got to cut out our mistakes.
"Nothing's happened to us in today's game that we haven't worked on this week. We've got to stop that shot. That put us on the backfoot.
"The penalty's a penalty. He got caught the wrong side of him. I've got no problem with that.
"To go in 2-0 down at half-time was crazy from our point of view. It changed us mentally in what we did.
"Both goals were against the run of play. If you don't take your chances that's what can happen to you. It became a counter-attacking game rather than a pressing game for them.
Line-ups
Rotherham
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Camp
- 2Buxton
- 12KellySubstituted forRawsonat 44'minutes
- 5BroadfootBooked at 57mins
- 4Collins
- 17Ward
- 8FrecklingtonSubstituted forBarkerat 86'minutes
- 33Smallwood
- 22NewellSubstituted forHyamat 82'minutes
- 9Ward
- 19Clarke-Harris
Substitutes
- 20Rawson
- 21Collin
- 25Hyam
- 26Barker
- 27Derbyshire
- 30Toffolo
- 39Yates
Bristol City
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Fielding
- 13Bennett
- 5AylingBooked at 64mins
- 4Flint
- 17BakerSubstituted forMooreat 45'minutes
- 3Williams
- 7Smith
- 15FreemanBooked at 42mins
- 21PackBooked at 25mins
- 10AgardSubstituted forWilbrahamat 58'minutes
- 22KodjiaBooked at 26minsSubstituted forCoxat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Little
- 9Cox
- 14Reid
- 16Moore
- 18Wilbraham
- 23Bryan
- 24O'Leary
- Referee:
- Tim Robinson
- Attendance:
- 8,949
Match Stats
Home TeamRotherhamAway TeamBristol City
- Possession
- Home42%
- Away58%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away1
- Corners
- Home2
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rotherham United 3, Bristol City 0.
Post update
Foul by Aaron Wilbraham (Bristol City).
Post update
Grant Ward (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Danny Ward (Rotherham United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Jonson Clarke-Harris.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jonson Clarke-Harris (Rotherham United) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Danny Ward with a headed pass.
Post update
Foul by Elliott Bennett (Bristol City).
Post update
Grant Ward (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Rotherham United. Brandon Barker replaces Lee Frecklington.
Post update
Foul by Liam Moore (Bristol City).
Post update
Grant Ward (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Elliott Bennett (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Luke Hyam (Rotherham United).
Substitution
Substitution, Rotherham United. Luke Hyam replaces Joe Newell.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Grant Ward (Rotherham United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jonson Clarke-Harris.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Joe Newell (Rotherham United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by Korey Smith (Bristol City).
Post update
Joe Newell (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Marlon Pack (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Aaron Wilbraham.
Goal!
Goal! Rotherham United 3, Bristol City 0. Lee Frecklington (Rotherham United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Danny Ward.
