Doncaster take bragging rights but Grant McCann angry at first-half display

Grant McCann could not hide his displeasure at Doncaster’s first-half performance even after his side battled back to see off Rotherham 2-1.

The result lifted Rovers closer to safety and left the Millers deep in relegation trouble and in the drop zone – eight points behind their neighbours.

It was also a first win at their neighbours for 41 years and a first double over them in seven decades.

McCann said: “The fans have got the bragging rights now and it’s nice to win the game.

“It’s the most disappointed I’ve been in the first half. We were so, so poor and lethargic. We did not pick up second balls and it looked like I picked 11 individuals out and told them to play for themselves.

“If I could have made 10 changes at half-time I would have done but I gave seven of them the benefit of the doubt and the three that came on made a real impact on the game and that is what we needed.

“We did not play it like a derby game, we played it like a pre-season game and got what we deserved.

“It doesn’t help when you concede after a minute but we showed no fight and it’s probably the angriest I have been since I’ve been at the football club.

“The boys came out in the second half and proved me right. They deserve a huge amount of credit because we have had a tough 10 days.

“We set them a challenge and now we need to try and kick on.”

Rotherham got off to a dream start when Duncan Watmore got past Jay McGrath and was tripped by the recovering defender to earn them a penalty.

After a long deliberation and delaying tactics from goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala, Sam Nombe smashed home from the spot.

Doncaster got level with two of McCann’s half-time substitutes combining. Glenn Middleton scampered down the left flank and he found Brandon Hanlan to fire home from close range.

Luke Molyneux’s determination earned them a second when he chased down Cameron Dawson out of his goal, dispossessed the keeper and then curled the ball into the unguarded net.

Under-fire Rotherham manager Matt Hamshaw said: “I just thought individual moments cost us.

“There wasn’t much in the game. I thought first half we were really good and we were everything I want from this football club.

“You are judged by moments in games of football and we fell short in two moments.

“I think you saw the confidence drain out of the players. We did not get the consistency that we had in the first half.

“There is not a lot in it but we have made two big mistakes and been punished for it.

“We have to stay positive and on the front foot and attack games like we did in the first half.”