Paul Mullin's 73rd-minute penalty gave Rotherham a hard-fought 1-0 away win over Northampton on Saturday. The victory moves the Millers up to 14th place in the League Two table, now on nine points from their opening seven matches.
A tight contest at Sixfields was decided from the spot midway through the second half. Mullin kept his composure to convert after a foul in the area, scoring his third goal of the season. Manager A. Bruce's side had to withstand late pressure, with goalkeeper J. Eyestone making three saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Rotherham set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation and enjoyed more of the ball, recording 57% possession. They created fewer chances than the hosts, managing 11 shots to Northampton's 17, but were more clinical with five on target. The game was punctuated by four yellow cards, two for each side, with Josh Austerfield and Ossama Ashley booked for Rotherham.
Bruce made a key change just after the hour mark, introducing Jili Buyabu for Dominic Iorfa. Further substitutions followed as Rotherham looked to see out the game, with Tom Bradshaw and Kian Spence entering the fray. The win ends a run of two league games without a victory, following a draw with Salford City and a loss to Bristol Rovers.
With the three points secured, Rotherham's focus shifts to their next fixture at home to Crewe on 26 September. The squad, now showing improved defensive resilience with ten goals conceded this term, will aim to build momentum. Check the latest standings to see how the table shapes up after this weekend's results.
