Rotherham booked their place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup as they beat Southampton 3-1.
Rotherham into fourth round of Carling Cup
League Two Rotherham United booked their place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup with yet another giant-killing victory as they beat Southampton 3-1.
The Millers have already dispatched of Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves this season and they added a third Championship scalp with the win over Southampton, who bowed out to lower league opposition for the fifth consecutive season.
Rotherham were the better side throughout and went ahead after 20 minutes through Nick Fenton.
The lead was doubled by Danny Harrison just before the hour, before Stern John gave the visitors a little hope.
But Mark Robins' men sealed the win thanks to Drewe Broughton with 20 minutes left.
A 4-3-3 formation signaled Rotherham's intent to attack their higher league opponents and it was the hosts who had the first chance of the match after 10 minutes.
Southampton were caught napping as Alex Rhodes drilled in a low corner from the left and the unmarked Ian Sharps connected with a sweetly timed volley which went just wide of the post.
Although it was no surprise when the Millers took the lead it was contentious to who actually claimed the goal which arrived after 23 minutes.
After a looping Rhodes corner caught Bartosz Bialkowski out, Millers striker Broughton smashed the ball into the the net following Nick Fenton's initial header.
However, at at half-time the fourth official confirmed Fenton's header had crossed the line before Broughton made sure so the goal was awarded to the midfielder.
Untested
The visitors improved after going behind but failed to test United goalkeeper Andy Warrington despite several penetrating runs from Andrew Surman into the box.
Rotherham began the second half with a real purpose and their three-pronged attack continued to cause the Saints defence all sorts of problems.
They made their dominance count 10 minutes after the break when Danny Harrison showed a real touch of class to send a sublime curling 30-yard shot past the helpless Bialkowski.
Substitute John breathed life back into the tie five minutes later with a well-struck shot of his own which sailed into the top corner from well outside the penalty area.
The introduction of John gave the visitors the lift they were craving and suddenly Surman and Adam Lallana started to find their passing range from midfield.
And the visitors came close to grabbing an equaliser as Lallana sent in a dangerous cross which only just eluded John at the far post.
But the Millers constantly looked a threat on the break, in particular the lively Rhodes who forced a good save out of Bialkowski with a stinging volley.
And it was from another incisive counter attack from which Rotherham added a third goal in the 68th minute.
Reuben Reid, who had scored the decisive penalty in the previous round against Wolves, embarked on an impressive run past several Saints defenders before sliding the ball across to Broughton, who tapped into an empty net.
