There were two team changes with Marc Newsham and Dale Tonge coming in to replace Derek Holmes and Marc Joseph who dropped down to the subs bench.

The Millers were straight on to the attack with a second minute Mark Hudson free kick winning a corner before a Steve Brogan cross was just too hard for Chris O'Grady who then did well only to see his under it shot saved.

On nine minutes Pablo Mills played a good ball in and after a scramble Hudson's 20 yarder went just over the bar and as Rotherham kept up the pressure O'Grady hit a 30 yarder wide of the target.

A Hudson free kick was played back in but Mills' cross was then just too deep for Graham Coughlan while a couple of free kicks for the visitors caused no problem.

Again Mills was just wide with an effort from 20 yards while at the other end Andy Warrington saved from Johnson. Back came the Millers again with a Brogan cross just too high for Ryan Taylor and Warrington saved easily from Smith.

Somewhat against the run of play Hereford took the lead on 39 minutes when the ball was played in from the right for Hooper to score from close range.

That was the last of the first half action and as play got under way in the second period the Millers again did virtually all the attacking. Danny Harrison fired wide from a deep Tonge cross and on 52 minutes Mills had a goalbound 20 yarder well saved.

A Brogan free kick was headed out for a corner and just past the hour mark a Hudson header was turned out for a corner.

The visitors should have added a second goal on 63 minutes when they broke away quickly but with only the keeper to beat, Robinson shot hopelessly wide to squander a great opening.

The home team attacked again but O'Grady was wide with a good chance and when Coughlan broke forward, Brogan's cross was caught by the keeper.

Another goal bound shot from Mills was saved again while Hereford wasted another good chance with another quick break, this time Warrington saved Robinson's shot after the striker was left in the clear.

O'Grady fired wide and Brogan hit a 20 yard free kick over the bar while the closing

Minutes saw Rotherham come close to grabbing an equaliser. On 85 minutes a deep cross from Harrison saw Holmes' header hit the bar and a minute later Jamie Yates was inches away from scoring when his good lob from the edge of the penalty area also hit the bar with the keeper beaten.

That was to be the Millers last opportunity of grabbing an equaliser as they slipped to a defeat.

Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge, Sharps, Coughlan, Brogan, Harrison, Mills (Ross 78), Hudson, O'Grady, Newsham (Yates 58), Taylor (D. Holmes 46). Subs: O'Donnell, Joseph.

Hereford; Brown, Collins (McClenahan 46), McCombe, Beckwith, Rose, Johnson, Smith, Diagouraga, Easton, Robinson (Benjamin 84), Hooper. Subs: Ingham, Gwynne, Taylor.

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).