2014 Millers Matchday Advent Calendar - Number 13

It’s Millers Time is paying tribute to a fantastic 2014 for Rotherham with a footballing advent calendar.

In each day of December, leading up to Christmas Day, we have been looking back at a game from this year.

Behind window number 13 is a thrilling away clash against a promotion rival.

Preston North End 3 Rotherham 3 (25/2/14)

Rotherham highlighted their promotion credentials in a game that saw them start brightly and then finish strongly to earn a point in a six-goal thriller.

The fact they did not win after leading 2-0 within 11 minutes may be cause for disappointment, but yet another late goal – the fifth time in six games they’d scored at the death – ensured it was honours even with Preston, who they would get to know even better.

Simon Grayson’s men were imperious on their own turf, yet Rotherham made a mockery of that by surging into an 11-minute two-goal lead.

Lee Frecklington got the ball rolling with a superb strike in the seventh minute. Receiving the ball just behind him, the midfielder took the ball in his side, burst into the area and then finished high in to the net from an acute angle.

Steve Evans’ men were in dreamland four minutes later when they doubled their lead when a killer delivery from Ben Pringle was headed into his own net by Tom Clarke.

Then came the Preston response and hey reduced their arrears shortly before the break when Craig Davies, after a hint of handball, drilled low into the net.

After the break the Millers were hit with a two-goal salvo in five minutes just after the hour to find themselves behind.

Paul Gallagher superbly turned and fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area and then Joe Garner headed home Chris Humphrey’s shot to complete the comeback.

But the Millers never knew when they were beaten and incredibly left it late again, when Frecklington’s scuffed shot from 16 yards found its way into the back of the net.

It was another late goal, but with most of the others coming against lesser opposition, this was one to cherish.

So, a thrilling encounter ended all-square as it seemed nothing could separate these two sides. Until May that is.

Rotherham: Collin, Tavernier, Morgan, Davis, Skarz (Vuckic 86), Agard, Frecklington, Smallwood (O’Connor 67), Pringle, Thomas (Adams 52), Revell

Attendance: 9,524 (925 Millers)

One to remember: Steve Evans warmed up for his Wembley touchline jaunt with a mini-sprint when Frecklington’s second hit the back of the net.

One to forget: The Millers sunk in the face of some strong second-half pressure from Preston.

To find out which game was behind window 12, click here!