Rotherham United 4 Leeds United 2

Last updated : 18 October 2008 By Millersmad Staff
Leeds were dumped out of the JP Trophy at the Don Valley stadium after a 4-2 thumping by Rotherham United.

Three headed efforts and a Mark Hudson strike gave the Millers the win in yet another night of cup glory for the League Two side after already claiming three Championship scalps in the Carling Cup.

Leeds, who made eight changes including leaving top marksman Jermaine Beckford on the bench, enjoyed most of the early possession as Robert Snodgrass stuck the top of the bar with a 25-yarder, but the Millers gradually came into things and took a 17th minute lead as Ian Sharps' header from a long Andy Nicholas throw looped over 'keeper David Lucas.

Hudson then tried to test Lucas again in the 24th minute but his shot whilsted wide of the upright.

In turn the Whites pushed for an equaliser as Neil Kilkenny fired a 30-yarder wide of Andy Warrington's left post, and on the half hour they got their reward as Jonny Howson converted after a goalmouth scramble as Rotherham failed to clear.

The Millers regained the lead though on the stroke of half time, as Reuben Reid was sent tumbling in the box by Andrew Hughes after a jinking run.

Hudson's spotkick was saved but the midfielder pounced on the rebound to leave Lucas flat footed and send the home side into the break with a 2-1 advantage.

And they couldn't have started the second half any better as two powerful headers, first from Drewe Broughton three minutes after the interval from Dale Tonge's cross and then from an unmarked Nick Fenton five minutes later, gave them a comfortable 4-1 cushion.

Three minutes later though Enoch Showumni pulled a goal back by slotting under Warrington, with still over half an hour to play.

The Millers had to soak up some Leeds pressure, but Leeds were wasteful in the final third.

Beckford and Becchio were finally introduced 20 minutes from time, but Rotherham coped admirably as defender Alan Sheehan limped off to leave Leeds playing out the final 10 or so minutes with only ten men after using their quota of substitutes.

Rotherham's quest for a fifth goal was ruled out by referee Scott Mathieson as Pablo Mills' header from Hudson's centre looped into the net, but Sharps was penalised for impeding Lucas and it was chalked off, as the Millers finished strongly and booked their place in the quarter final draw.

Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge, Fenton, Sharps, Nicholas, Cummins, Mills, Hudson, Rhodes, Reid, Broughton.
Subs Not Used: Cann, Burchill, Joseph, Taylor, Green.

Leeds: Lucas, Hughes, Marques, Michalik, Parker (Sheehan 57), Prutton, Kilkenny, Howson, Robinson (Becchio 71), Snodgrass, Showunmi (Beckford 71).
Subs Not Used: Ankergren, Delph.

Att: 4,658.

Ref: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).

Thanks To MillersMAD - Rotherham United, for the above match report