Cardiff battled back from two goals down to bring a miserable run of five
consecutive defeats to an end with a first victory at Ninian Park since November
8.
A calamitous start looked to have cost the home side dear as strikes from
Stewart Talbot and John Mullin earned Rotherham a commanding lead after nine
minutes.
But after such a dreadful start, Cardiff - buoyed by new signing Paul Parry -
responded superbly.
Peter Thorne cut the deficit after 24 minutes and Graham Kavanagh's fifth goal
of the season after 38 minutes dragged the Bluebirds back into the contest.
And seconds before the interval, goalkeeper Mike Pollitt's mistake allowed Rob
Earnshaw to stab the ball into an unguarded net.
Predictably, the second half could not live up to a pulsating opening period,
but manager Lennie Lawrence will not care about that as his side ran out
comfortable winners.
However, they looked anything but comfortable in the opening exchanges as
Rotherham deservedly took the lead within three minutes.
Chris Sedgwick's superbly-executed corner was not dealt with by Cardiff's
rearguard and Talbot was on hand to poke the ball into the back of the net.
The home side may still possess a potent attacking force in Earnshaw and
Thorne, but at the back they were in disarray and another error gifted
Rotherham's second goal of the afternoon.
Guy Branston's hopeful punt up field should have been easily cleared to safety
but instead found Richie Barker who slalomed past Danny Gabbidon and flung over
a delightful ball to Mullin who had time to control before rifling the ball into
the top corner.
Given their poor run, Cardiff fans may have been expecting their side to throw
in the towel.
However, following a sustained spell of pressure, the Welsh side were handed a
lifeline when Tony Vidmar's fine delivery found Thorne who screwed the ball
expertly into the back of the net.
With seven minutes of the half remaining, Cardiff equalised when Rhys Weston's
cross found Kavanagh who unleashed a stinging eight-yard drive that left Pollitt
with no chance.
A stunning comeback was completed in first-half injury-time when Pollitt came
tearing off his goalline only for Earnshaw to skip past goalkeeper before
tapping the ball into the empty net.
The momentum stayed with the home side after break and Thorne and Earnshaw
should have added further goals from close range.
Rotherham huffed and puffed to the final whistle, but Cardiff had grown wise
to the Millers' predictable aerial bombardment and played out the remainder of
the game with relative ease.
Teams
Cardiff Margetson, Weston, Prior (Croft 70), Gabbidon, Vidmar,
Langley, Boland, Kavanagh, Parry (Whalley 80), Thorne, Earnshaw.
Subs Not Used: Lee, Campbell, Alexander.
Booked: Earnshaw.
Goals: Thorne 24, Kavanagh 38, Earnshaw 45.
Rotherham Pollitt, Shaun Barker, Swailes, Branston, Hurst,
Sedgwick, Talbot (Garner 85), Mullin, Warne (Monkhouse 60),
Richard Barker, Byfield.
Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Minto, Daws.
Booked: Swailes, Monkhouse, Branston.
Goals: Talbot 3, Mullin 9.
Att: 13,021
Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).
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