We're not Minus anymore Millers 2 - Tranmere 1

Knilly

Moore, whose previous club Oldham lost 2-0 last season on his first journey back to Millmoor after eight years at the Millers' helm, was handed generous applause by home fans but that was where the goodwill ended.

After a lively start, United took the lead in the 18th minute with the Tranmere defence all at sea after Eugen Bopp's cross caused havoc.

The ball arrived at the feet of star midfielder Lee Williamson and he found space to fire home a fierce angled shot for his first goal of the season.

Williamson, subject of deadline day interest from Leeds United and Luton Town, worked hard in tandem with Bopp and Justin Cochrane but the hosts were rocked after 28 minutes when Tranmere scored from their first attack.

Good work by Chris Greenacre and Gareth Taylor set up Kevin Ellison and he coolly steered home a precision shot to bring Rovers level with his second of the season.

Undeterred, the Millers pressed forward and hot-shot Will Hoskins put them back in front with an excellent low shot after cutting inside the Rovers defence on 38 minutes.

But the Millers were made to sweat before the break and breathed a sigh of relief when ex-Millmoor target Greenacre wasted a glorious chance at the far post after good work by Ellison with Neil Cutler making a point-blank save.

The pressure continued with Taylor and Ellison seeing goalbound efforts cleared after a strong spell of pressure shortly before the break.

The second half was a stop-start affair with the Millers defence relatively untroubled against an impotent Rovers forward line with ex-United men John Mullin, Robbie Stockdale and Paul McLaren not enjoying their first return to the club.

Gregor Robertson and Hoskins spurned chances to steal the win for the hosts with Rovers' only worthwhile chance seeing sub Calvin Zola steering an effort off target.