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With the home side having looked the more likely for all but the latter stages, a goal from substitute Gavin McCallum (library picture) right at the end of normal time earned a valuable away point at Rotherham’s Don Valley Stadium this afternoon after an early strike from Adam Le Fondre had given the hosts the lead on 10 minutes.
John Trewicks only change was to recall Danny Blanchett to central defence and both he and partner Jones were soon tested as The Millers opened by far the brighter. Indeed, Jones and Lunt were both called upon to block shots inside the box in the first few minutes. Blanchett also had to be alert a couple of minutes later to concede a corner following a dangerous break down the right. However, Rotherham’s opening persistence was rewarded on 10 minutes when Le Fondre found the net from a low Ellison cross.
The Bulls were struggling to retain possession as midfield passes went astray to contribute to the pressure while up top, Walker and King were finding the blustery conditions less than helpful. A ball into The Bulls danger area was only half cleared but Mills dragged his effort just wide. Ryan Green chipped in with a couple of timely interceptions and Adam Bartlett was quickly out to block a shot from Pope. As the game reached the half-hour mark, Craig King was unlucky to see his looped header land on the roof of the net but it was only one of two really decent chances that fell to The Bulls in the half. Tom Pope headed over from a corner and LeFondre drew another block from Bartlett before Walker forced a save from Warrington who palmed away for a corner. Marc Pugh was being closely man-marked but did manage a cross, which King headed over then the best chance of the game fell to Marshall following good work by Walker but the youngster fired over from 15 yards when clear.
HT Rotherham 1 HUFC 0
Trewick introduced Manset (pictured smiling at his relatives who were seated with the Hereford United supporters) after the break, withdrawing Marshall and moving Sam Gwynne to a wide right role with King dropping into the centre. Manset showed an instant appetite for work but both teams continued to be guilty of miss-placed passes. Pugh was hacked down when in full flight and Lunt’s resulting free kick was headed just wide by The Beast before his persistence enabled him to release Pugh whose cross was cleared but met on the edge of the box by the advancing King but the young striker volleyed over. The Bulls attack was augmented by the introduction of Sonko and McCallum and the final 15/20 minutes produced a much-improved display from the visitors. The equalising goal came on the stroke of full time. A couple of blocked shots finished with the ball falling to Lunt who threaded the ball in to McCallum who turned to fire in from 6 yards to earn a share of the spoils.
FT Rotherham 1 HUFC 1
The hosts largely controlled the game for all but the final 15 minutes but the late goal was just reward for the closing effort. The sooner they move the spectator area to the same are of Sheffield as the pitch the better…it was no place to watch football. However, 3452 including 177 from The Shire did attempt to watch from a considerable distance.
Rotherham:- Warrington, Tonge, Fenton (Joseph 49), Sharps, Green, Law, Mills, Harrison, Ellison, Pope (Broughton 67), Le Fondre. Subs not used: Annerson, Cummins, Liddell, Warne, Lynch.
Hereford:- Bartlett, Green, Jones, Blanchett, Valentine, Marshall (Manset, 46), Lunt, Gwynne (Sonko 71), Pugh (McCallum 83); Walker, King. Subs not used:- Adamson, Rose, Done, Constantine.
