Substitute Georgie Kelly scored two minutes and 46 seconds after his introduction to seal a 2-1 win for Rotherham against Huddersfield – the first of Matt Taylor’s tenure as Millers manager.
The Irishman stooped to chest down a header into the box, regained his composure and prodded the winner past Terriers goalkeeper Lee Nicholls (61).
Conor Washington had given the hosts the lead with a cool finish from just inside the box (25), but the lead lasted less than four minutes, as Danny Ward equalised against his former employers (29).
Rotherham’s first home league victory against Huddersfield for 30 years lifts them to 11th ahead of the remainder of Saturday’s action, with Mark Fotheringham’s side still second bottom as a result of their eighth defeat of the campaign.
How Taylor’s Millers got off the mark
There were few signs it was derby day in the opening stages at the New York, with few openings or the customary crunching tackles that are seldom absent from a local battle.
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Rotherham did start to impose themselves, with Washington’s shot on the turn blocked and Richard Wood’s header at the back post saved by Lee Nicholls and, five minutes before the break, Washington guided in Dan Barlaser’s neat pass after David Kasumu had been caught in possession on the edge of his box.
But the lead lasted under four minutes, as unmarked ex-Miller Ward guided in a corner from the edge of the box, after a routine straight off the training pitch.
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Huddersfield did have two chances to add to take the lead for the first time, but twice Sorba Thomas found Jordan Rhodes – and twice the striker’s first touch let him down.
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With just under 55 minutes gone, they thought they had edged in front for the first time. A ferocious drive from Ben Jackson was saved by Viktor Johansson, with Rhodes heading in the loose ball, but the experienced striker had strayed offside in the build-up.
Just past the hour mark, Kelly hit what proved to be the winner less than 180 seconds after taking to the pitch in place of Tom Eaves, with an instinctive first touch and clinical second, to which the Terriers had no answer.
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Player of the match – Dan Barlaser
A typically impressive performance from the midfielder in the Yorkshire derby. He assisted the opener, created three chances, had two shots on target himself and completed 77 per cent of his attempted passes.
What’s next?
Both teams are back in action on Tuesday, October 18. Rotherham travel to the bet365 Stadium to take on Stoke at 8pm, while Huddersfield host Preston at the John Smith’s Stadium at 7.45pm. Both matches will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Football Red Button.