Rotherham shock Saints

Barker heads Rotherham into a surprise lead

Rotherham 2-1 Southampton
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Excellent goals from Richie Barker and John Mullin earned Rotherham one of the surprise victories of the third round, as Southampton were sent crashing out of the FA Cup.

The Premiership visitors came into the game in a rich vein of league form - but they were undone by honest First Division industry and by two good finishes either side of half time.

  Match facts

39 mins: Richard Barker heads Rotherham in front

54 mins: John Mullin doubles the lead

70 mins: Marian Parhars scores a penalty for Saints

Barker gave Rotherham the lead on 39 minutes with a spectacular flying header and Mullin doubled the advantage nine minutes after the interval from the edge of the area.

Saints' top scorer Marian Pahars ensured a tense finale for the home faithful when he converted a penalty on 70 minutes.

But it was too late for the south coasters to force a replay and a packed Millmoor erupted in celebration at the final whistle.

Southampton supporters must now endure a nervy relegation battle in English football's top flight.

Those last 20 minutes lasted a lifetime. They aged me - I feel about 64 at the moment

Millers boss Ronnie Moore

But Rotherham fans can enjoy the next chapter of their 2002 cup run - a home tie against Dario Gradi's Crewe in the fourth round.

After a hectic start to the game, Barker deservedly gave Rotherham the lead when he soared in unmarked at the far post to head Kevin Watson's free-kick past Saints keeper Paul Jones.

Southampton were a different prospect at the start of the second half and Pahars nearly equalised with a header from point-blank range that was hit straight at Mike Pollitt in the home goal.

But the Millers halted the visitors' fightback in its tracks, with a fine goal from Mullin.

He charged down the flank, collected Chris Sedgewick's through-ball and then drew wide before thumping the ball past Jones.

I am disappointed with the result, but not with the performance

Saints boss Gordon Strachan

The goal was reminiscent of the strike Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy had put past the same opposition last Sunday.

The 62nd minute introduction of substitute Kevin Davies revived Southampton - and when the former Blackburn striker was pushed by Andy Monkhouse in the area, the referee pointed to the spot.

Parhars slotted home the penalty for his 12th goal of the season.

Delight for Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore

The goal sparked a frantic final 15 minutes as Rotherham clung onto their lead in the face of some relentless Southampton pressure.

Pahars and Delgado missed good chances before Southampton veteran Matt Le Tissier was brought on with 10 minutes to go.

But the former England international could only fire over from 20 yards out in injury time - to the relief of the Rotherham supporters.

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Rotherham: Pollitt, Hurst, Scott, Swailes, McIntosh, Sedgwick (Daws 84), Watson, Mullin, Monkhouse (Talbot 71), Warne, Richard Barker.
Subs Not Used: Gray, Robins, Branston. Booked: Warne.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Bridge, Williams, Lundekvam, Svensson, Marsden, Telfer, Fernandes (Davies 62), Pahars, Delgado (Le Tissier 79).
Subs Not Used: Moss, Monk, Tessem.

Att: 8,464

Ref: M Messias (York).