Rotherham United staged a second-half comeback to edge out Leeds United 2-1 at New York Stadium this evening.
Mirco Antenucci fired his side into the lead on the half-hour mark with a clinical finish beyond the reach of Adam Collin, although the visitors were unable to hold onto their advantage.
Goals from Alex Revell and Jonson Clarke-Harris turned the game on its head following the interval, ensuring that the Millers climb level on points with their Yorkshire rivals in the Championship table.
See how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship meeting between Rotherham United and Leeds United at the New York Stadium. That's right, the two-week international break is now officially over, and we return to domestic action with a thrilling Yorkshire derby this evening.
As ever, a win tonight will prove the world of difference to both sides, who are currently separated by just three points in midtable. Kickoff is less than 30 minutes away, so let's begin by taking a look at how these two teams line up...
TEAM NEWS!
ROTHERHAM UNITED STARTING XI: Collin, Skarz, Arnason, Hall, Frecklington, Revell, Green, Richardson, Pringle, Morgan, Derbyshire
LEEDS UNITED STARTING XI: Silvestri, Berardi, Pearce, Bellusci, Warnock, Austin, Bianchi, Mowatt, Cook, Antenucci, Doukara
Rob Misom has failed to overcome injury in time for this evening's clash for the hosts, although Kirk Broadfoot is fit enough for a place among the substitutes. Richard Wood, Richard Brindley and Conor Newton also miss out, while Luciano Becchio will not feature against his form club having broken his ankle earlier this week.
Adryan was all set to feature in a Leeds shirt for the first time this evening, although a late change to the team sheet has seen the Brazilian miss out with Lewis Cook taking his spot. Milanic hinted earlier this week that Stephen Warnock may be fit enough to return for the visiting side, and that has proved to be the case with the defender starting at New York Stadium.
BENCH WATCH!
ROTHERHAM UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Loach, Broadfoot, Bowery, Swift, Taylor, Clarke-Harris, Smallwood
LEEDS UNITED SUBSTITUTES: S Taylor, Byram, Cooper, Adryan, Sloth, Morison, Sharp
As mentioned, Broadfoot is among the Millers' subs this evening, along with Jordan Bowery who can provide an attacking threat from the bench if called upon. Steve Morison and Billy Sharp have been left out of the starting lineup once more by Darkovic, meanwhile, although they will be keen to make an impact as and when they are introduced.
Just 15 minutes to go until the return of domestic football...
Well Rotherham come into this game on the back of just one victory in their last seven outings, although manager Steve Evans can be pleased with his start to life in the Championship on the whole. Having led the club from League Two up to the Championship, a meeting with Leeds at this level seemed a long way away just a few years ago.
Incidentally, three points this evening will lift the Millers level on points with their rivals, while any more than a two-goal winning margin will see Rotherham overtake Leeds. This is by no means an easy place to visit, either, just as Blackburn Rovers found out in the last meeting at the New York Stadium, with the hosts running out 2-0 victors.
New Leeds boss Darko Milanic is still without a win since taking over at Elland Road, needing to turn around the club's faltering start sooner rather than later. Two draws and a defeat have seen the Slovenian come under a little pressure, although he will surely be given time by president Massimo Cellino to get things right. Three games into his tenure and already threatened with a sack - only in football!
Kickoff is a little over five minutes away, meaning that there is still time to see what Sports Mole's On The Sofa team believe will happen in this derby-day meeting.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: As touched on a little earlier, this is the first time these sides have met since back in 2005. It was hardly a game to remember, though, as the teams played out a goalless draw at Elland Road. A few months prior to that, Rotherham recorded a 1-0 win over their opponents courtesy of a solo Martin McIntosh strike.
PREDICTION: It promises to be a fiery affair at the New York Stadium between two sides confident that they can pick up all three points. In the end, though, I believe that the Yorkshire rivals will cancel each other out in a 1-1 draw.
Well the two sides are ready, with kickoff just a few short moments away. Tonight's clash is a complete sell out at, perhaps unsurprisingly, which is boosted by a healthy away following. It should be tight and tense throughout, but hopefully we see a few goals!
KICKOFF! Leeds United get us underway at the New York Stadium.
Ben Pringle opens fire from just outside the area, although the referee had already halted play due to an earlier infringement. Leeds just looking to control the tempo of the game in these early stages, perhaps taking the sting out of the atmosphere a little.
Leeds still the side seeing more of the ball in the opening few minutes, remaining patient as they look to make their way up the field. Some good pressing from the hosts is stopping the Whites from advancing into the final third of the pitch, though.
Matt Derbyshire is played in down the right, although having seen the ball switch sides Pringle manages to whip in a cross which fails to find a player in a red and white shirt. That's the first we've seen of the hosts in an attacking sense so far.
SHOT! The ball is laid off to Austin well outside the opposition area, although rather than taking a touch or playing in a teammate the midfielder takes range and scuffs his effort well wide. Unfazed by that, Leeds pushed forward once more moments later and a smart cut-back allowed Mirco Antenucci to get his foot to the ball, although his stabbed effort from close range failed to test Adam Collin.
Derbyshire is involved once more for the hosts as they look to wrestle back some possession. Although after charging into the box from his starting position on the right, he is unable to keep hold of the ball, with Jason Pearce doing well to get across.
Rotherham are growing into this contest more now, earning a free kick on the edge of the box which Ryan Hall blasts over. He put his foot right through it from range, although he may have better off looking to lay-off a teammate first.
Pringle is a little lucky to avoid a booking after pulling Austin down to the ground. Still no attempts on target as of yet, but the way, as both sides continue to cancel each other out in the middle of the park.
Joe Skarz is given plenty of space to run into from his left-back position having been played in by Pringle, although his cross wasn't the best, with the ball headed away in the middle. That's not the first time Rotherham have been unable to utilise the space afforded to them down that flank so far.
SHOT! Souleymane Doukara is given his first sight of goal of the evening, using his pace and strength to get beyond Kari Arnason, although a lack of support meant that the Whites' top scorer had to shoot from range, with his effort being dragged well wide.
SAVE! The first controversial moment of this match as Derbyshire bursts through on goal by Alex Revell, forcing Marco Silvestri into making a stop. Leeds were rather unhappy, though, as Pearce was down on the floor following a hefty challenge a few moments beforehand.
Pearce is back on the field following some treatment, and play can now resume following a short break. Still no goals 25 minutes in, although the shot count is now slowly starting to climb.
Pringle is given the opportunity to swing a free kick into the box, and Craig Morgan manages to get on the end of it at the back post, heading the ball back towards the edge of the box. His teammates couldn't get to the ball, however, with the danger being cleared.
Another Pringle set piece causes danger for the visitors, with the dangerous delivery seeing the ball bobble around in the area. Leeds eventually managed to clear the danger, yet it is they who are under the cosh now.
YELLOW CARD! Lee Frecklington becomes the first player to enter the referees book. He caught Bellusci a little late when chasing down a ball at the back, and was rightly shown a yellow.
GOAL! ROTHERHAM UNITED 0-1 LEEDS UNITED (Antenucci)
Leeds United make the breakthrough at the New York Stadium through Antenucci who kept his cool to clinically put the ball beyond Collin. Having timed his run well to remain onside, Doukara played his teammate through on goal and the Italian did the well to roll the ball home.
I mentioned how Antenucci held his run to perfection to remain onside, although that was perhaps down to the Rotherham back line, who were completely caught out. Nonetheless, it was a brilliant finish from the Italian forward.
SAVE! Rotherham pushing forward for an equaliser as we enter the final 10 minutes of the first half. Derbyshire does well to set up Frecklington right on the edge of the box, although the midfielder's shot is straight down the throat of Silvestri who gets down well to easily collect the ball.
SAVE! Great stop from Silvestri, who this time really had to be at full stretch to keep his side in front. Pringle's inch-perfect delivery picks out Revell inside the box, and his headed attempt back across goal looks to be heading for the top corner if not for the intervention of the visiting keeper.
In terms of possession, the ball has been in Leeds' final third for 49% of the game so far, which is largely down to Rotherham pushing for an equaliser over the last 10 minutes or so. They came close to levelling up just a few minutes ago, if not for that stop from Silvestri.
Revell being forced to work the channels at times so far this evening, and he is left frustrated when a ball down the right is over hit, before eventually running out of play. Rotherham need to keep their heads up, because they have not been all that bad in the opening 43 minutes.
SHOT! Austin goes on another powerful run, carrying the ball from close to his own half to the edge of the opposition box, although once more his long-range strike fails to find the target.
CHANCE! It looked for all the world that Doukara was left with a simple tap-in at the back post, although Skarz does brilliantly to deny the striker getting a clean strike away. Doukara went for the spectacular with his follow-up attempt, although he failed to connect with his overhead kick.
Leeds win a free kick in a nice shooting position around a yard or so outside the area, yet Austin fails to beat the wall with his shot in what is surely the last attempt of the half.
HALF TIME: ROTHERHAM UNITED 0-1 LEEDS UNITED
Indeed it is the last chance, as the referee draws the first half to a close. It has been a well-matched game in truth, although I'm sure that Leeds supporters will argue that they deserve their 1-0 lead at the interval. Antenucci's clinical strike was certainly worthy of opening up the scoring in this Yorkshire derby, although since that strike 15 minutes from the break Rotherham have continued to press.
In truth the Millers have failed to create any clear cut openings in the way that their opponents have, with Revell's headed effort shortly before the interval the closest that they have come to making the breakthrough.
Around 2,500 Leeds supporters have made the 34-mile journey to Rotherham this evening for this sell-out clash...
MATCH STATS! Leeds United have had more of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, boasting 62% of the possession thus far. They have also had more attempts on goal (eight to Rotherham's two), while the hosts edge out their Yorkshire rivals in terms of shots on goal (four to one).
However, what truly counts is the scoreline, and right now Darko Milanic is on course to recording his first victory as manager of Leeds. If they are to maintain their advantage then they need to continue standing strong at the back, although the deliveries from the boot of Pringle are proving more and more dangerous.
High praise indeed...
SECOND HALF! Rotherham have opted to make a change at the interval, as Ryan Hall makes way for Paul Taylor.
An early chance for Pringle to swing in another of those set-piece crosses in this second half, and once more Leeds struggle to deal with the initial ball, eventually clearing their lines following a little scare.
SHOT! A positive start from the home side, then, who have come out of the blocks much quicker following the interval. After seeing a couple of shots blocked on the edge of the box, the ball falls to Derbyshire who takes fire, only for his effort to be deflected wide for a corner.
SAVE! Almost an instant impact from Taylor who strikes a free kick with real venom at Silvestri, leaving the visiting keeper with no choice but to parry the ball into the box. Thankfully for him the spilt ball was not pounced on by a Rotherham player, instead being cleared away from danger.
YELLOW CARD! Bianchi becomes the first Leeds player to be shown a yellow card this evening. He was forced into making a challenge, and since the start of this half it has been all Rotherham.
CLOSE! Taylor manages to get away from a few opposition players thanks to his quick feet. Rotherham eventually work the ball out to Pringle on the left, and having failed to close him down Leeds almost come unstuck, although Revell heads the cross over the bar. Pringle is having a lot of joy so far, with the Whites failing to close him down repeatedly.
The Millers are still the side asking all the questions, although on a couple of occasions now Leeds have looked to hit their opponents on the counter. Doukara leads the charge this time, although Pringle was back to cut out a pass inside the box. He's having a fine evening all over the pitch.
SAVE! Of course, as I say that Pringle sloppily gives the ball away in midfield, allowing Mowatt to get a shot away from distance which was easily kept out in the end.
GOAL! ROTHERHAM UNITED 1-1 LEEDS UNITED (REVELL)
It has been coming, and finally Rotherham manage to find a way through to level up the contest. Frecklington was allowed to charge into the box, and his effort could only be parried by Silvestri right into the path of Revell, who subsequently made no mistake in finding the net from a few yards out.
It was by no means an easy finish from Revell, although he took his chance very well to bag his first goal since that brace in last season's League One playoff final. The atmosphere has been raised a couple of levels as a result, too.
GOAL RULED OUT! Doukara finds the net from a few yards out, although the linesman had already raised his flag.
DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION! Adryan replaces Cook to make his Leeds United debut. He is a highly rated Brazilian midfielder, but can he make an instant impact at his new club? Jonson Clarke-Harris is introduced for the hosts in place of Derbyshire, meanwhile.
GOAL! ROTHERHAM UNITED 2-1 LEEDS UNITED (Clarke-Harris)
Talk about making an instant impact! Just a minute or so after entering the field, Jonson Clarke-Harris fires his side into the lead with a thunderous strike from around 25 yards out. He was allowed to get a shot away after the Leeds back lined continued to back off, and the spin took the ball away from Silvestri.
Well Leeds have not lost a single point from a winning position so far this season, although they have just 20 minutes or so to salvage that record. Rotherham need to continue what they have been doing since the second half got underway, rather than sitting off in the final third of this entertaining clash.
SAVE! Adryan almost makes an instant impact of his own, looking to find the bottom corner with his strike from just outside the box, although Collin managed to get down low to deny the substitute.
CLOSE! Revell makes the most of yet another inch-perfect cross into the box, although his header lacked any real conviction, allowing Silvestri to capture the ball.
YELLOW CARDS! It's hard to judge Silvestri's performance this evening; on one hand he has made some decent stops, but at times he has looked incredible shaky. On this occasion he fails to capture a simple ball into the box, although he quickly pounces on the ball. The keeper wasn't happy with Revell's challenge on him when on the ground, however, leading to both players entering the referee's book.
Rotherham have opted not to sit back on their lead, instead pushing forward for another goal. It's working so far, as that Adryan strike aside, Leeds haven't looked too likely to find a way through since falling behind.
LEEDS SUBSTITUTION! Sharp, a man who has made it clear that he wants more first-team action, is introduced with 13 minutes or so left to play in South Yorkshire. He enters the fray in place of Doukara who received a booking just seconds before being withdrawn.
SHOT! Adryan has looked very lively since coming on, drifting away from his opponents before getting a shot away on this occasion. The effort was rather pulled, however, and Collin was happy to see the ball pass the far post.
ROTHERHAM SUBSTITUTION! Leeds will not be too displeased to see Pringle leave the field, with Richie Smallwood the man coming on in his place.
The visitors are patiently looking to work the ball around their opponents, and they very nearly did so if not for Richardson's clearance was the ball was squared to Sharp across the face of goal.
OFF THE POST! Leeds really cranking up the pressure now. Antenucci struck a solid attempt down low which Collin did brilliantly to turn onto the post with the ball eventually going out for a corner kick. The resulting set piece was not fully dealt with, though, allowing Adryan to shoot from the edge of the box, yet his effort flew over the bar.
LEEDS SUBSTITUTION! This really is end-to-end stuff as we enter the final few minutes of this game. Rotherham are not sitting back, instead looking to add another goal to their tally. Leeds look dangerous when they push forward also, and they have no introduced another striker in Welshman Steve Morison. Bianchi is the man to be sacrificed.
No real openings in the last five minutes which will please Rotherham more than Leeds, of course. The away side are running out of time to find a leveller.
CHANCE! Revell is played in on goal as we enter four minutes of added time at the New York Stadium, although he sees his shot deflected wide off the goalkeeper from a tight angle. Rotherham will be happy to see the ball remain in the corner.
Leeds just unable to win the ball back at the moment, and the ball is camped firmly in their half of the field. Just two minutes left to play...
CHANCE! It really should be game over, yet Revell fails to take his golden chance! Having knocked the ball beyond Silvestri, he was unable to tap the ball into an empty net with a Leeds defender getting back to put enough pressure on the striker. The good news for the hosts is that they have yet another corner.
We have just seconds remaining in South Yorkshire, but Leeds simply can't find a way through at the moment...
Morison's cross into the box is well cut out, although it deflected out for a corner allowing Leeds to pump one more ball into the box...
FULL TIME: ROTHERHAM UNITED 2-1 LEEDS UNITED
Leeds failed to capitalise on that late corner, and that proved to be the last piece of action. A brilliant second-half performance from the Millers has seen them come from behind to take all three points against their Yorkshire rivals.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable game between two committed sides, although the wait for a first win goes on for Darko Milanic. Rotherham climb level on points with the Whites with this win, and they can be more than happy with their start to life back in the Championship.
Well that's all from me this evening, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you a full match report and all the reaction from New York Stadium.
