Rotherham 1-3 Reading

Reading's transfer cheque book was just too big for home-spun Rotherham, as the visitors ran out comfortable 3-1 winners over the second division new boys.

But the home side made things hard for themselves by gifting Reading their second goal four minutes after the break.

Reading were in front as early as the sixth minute when Ricky Newman's cross was headed on by Jimmy McIntyre and Martin Butler fired home from close range.

But Rotherham fought their way back and Mark Robins equalised from the penalty spot in the 27th minute after Alan Lee was hauled back by his shirt.

But four minutes into the second half defender Brian Wilsterman and goalkeeper Ian Gray went for the same ball on the edge of the penalty area, both completely missed it and Jamie Cureton walked the ball into the empty net.

The goal knocked the heart out of Rotherham and McIntyre put the icing on the cake with the third goal after 78 minutes, his shot going in off the post.

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Rotherham: Gray, Watson, Warne, Hurst, Branston, Wilsterman, Scott, Turner, Garner, Lee, Robins. Subs: Connor, Monkhouse, Hudson, Barker, Knill.

Reading: Whitehead, Viveash, Caskey, Butler, Hodges, Cureton, Parkinson, Gurney, McIntyre, Newman, Williams. Subs: Jones, Murty, C. Smith, Howie, Mackie.

Referee: J P Robinson (Hull)