Rotherham United 3
Peterborough United 1
The rest of the teams in League One will have been shown the extent of Rotherham United's potential after they demolished promotion favourites Peterborough United at Millmoor.
It was a thoroughly comprehensive performance that gave the Millers just rewards for the quality of the football they produced.
After a quiet opening few minutes the Millers took a grip on the game as early as seven minutes when Derek Holmes latched on to a through ball from Andy Todd to go clear and beat the keeper to open the scoring.
That rocked the visitors who were unable to make an immediate reply as the home team went on to dictate the pattern of play.
Rotherham had the ball in the net again on 17 minutes but it was ruled out for offside while at the other end two minutes later McLean fired just wide after a quick break.
Back came the Millers for Derek Holmes to have a shot blocked with Chris O'Grady firing just wide with a hooked shot from the rebound.
Following a good home move Peter Holmes pulled his cross behind the goal before the Posh went close. McLean had a good chance but his shot was well saved by Andy Warrington at the expense of the first of two corners in quick succession.
The home team replied immediately with a good move involving Peter Holmes and O'Grady and from the resulting corner Holmes saw his shot headed out.
Debutant Marcus Bean had a shot deflected for a corner before the Millers took a firm grip on the game as they added a second goal on 33 minutes. Derek Holmes had a shot blocked but O'Grady reacted quickly to latch on to the ball and score with a well placed shot.
It got even better two minutes later when the Reds added a third goal with a superb move of skilful football.
Marc Joseph found Peter Holmes out side on the left and he delivered a perfect cross to the far post where Derek Holmes headed home.
The visitors replied with two corners with Mclean heading wide from the second and the first half ended with the Millers in full control as they won two more flag kicks to take their corner count to eight.
Four minutes into the second half Peter Holmes fired wide and as Posh looked to get into the game Low crossed to the far post with no one able to get on the end of it.
A good ball from Dale Tonge found Andy Todd whose cross was cut out and on 53 minutes the Millers were awarded a free kick from 19 yards but Peter Holmes deflected shot was hooked off the line.
Todd fired wide from a superb Peter Holmes cross and there were strong appeals for a 62nd minute penalty when O'Grady was hauled down but surprisingly the referee waved play on.
A Keanes shot was well saved by Warrington and Lee fired well wide as Posh looked for some consolation but back came the Millers again for Danny Harrison to head wide from a Todd cross.
Joseph had a 25 yarder saved and O'Grady fired wide before Peterborough grabbed a consolation goal on 88 minutes when McLean made space for himself from as corner to head home.
Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge, Sharps, Coughlan, Joseph, Todd, Harrison, Bean, P. Holmes, D. Holmes, O'Grady. Subs: Cann, Newsham, Duncum, Hurst, King.
Peterborough: Jalal, Morgan, Blackett (Westwood 46), Day, Low, Newton, Keates, Hyde (Lee 63), Whelpdale, McLean, Boyd (Howe 59). Subs: Tyler, Crow.
Referee: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).
Attendance: 4,291 (960 away).
