Rotherham United 3-3 Stoke City: Nick Powell header earns Potters a draw in thriller
- Published
Stoke forward Nick Powell headed in the sixth and final goal of the game at Rotherham
Nick Powell's header earned Stoke City a point from an enthralling game and prevented lowly Rotherham securing consecutive Championship wins for the first time in almost five years.
The Millers trailed to an unfortunate Angus MacDonald own goal, but hit back to leave it level at the break through a close-range strike from Matt Crooks.
A dull game burst into life in a frantic second period with a scrappy Michael Smith effort making it 2-1 for the hosts, only for Danny Batth to head the Potters level.
Crooks restored Rotherham's lead with a classy first-time shot, but Powell's powerful header into the far corner earned Stoke a draw and takes them up a place to seventh.
Stoke's previous 10 matches had only produced 11 goals in total and although the first half saw two goals, there was only one shot on target and very little of note in between.
The chances of Rotherham marking boss Paul Warne's 200th game in charge with a win to end a 121-game run of not having won back-to-back second-tier fixtures since April 2016, looked unlikely when they trailed to MacDonald's own goal.
Keeper Jamal Blackman was unfortunate to be beaten when the centre-back inadvertently diverted a low Rhys Norrington-Davies cross up and over the on-loan Chelsea man.
The Millers, who are third from bottom and are now two points from safety, responded impressively and almost levelled when Wes Harding's header from Daniel Barlaser's corner smashed down off the bar and was scrambled clear.
Crooks did equalise with a near-post effort but much of the credit went to Smith, who pinched possession from a dithering Batth and sent in a teasing crossed low cross from the right.
After the sporadic first-half entertainment, a strong wind and damp conditions contributed to a captivating second period full of excitement, mistakes and chances.
Smith made it 2-1 with a cool finish after more messy defending but Batth made amends for his mistake for Rotherham's opener when he headed in Powell's inviting cross.
Crooks' second goal, a lovely strike from the edge of the box, put the hosts ahead again but Powell levelled the scores for a third time.
Both sides could have taken all three points in a breathless final 15 minutes.
Stoke created more chances with Batth almost heading in from a James McClean corner, while Crooks missed a wonderful opportunity for a hat-trick when he shot just wide from 12 yards.
Rotherham manager Paul Warne:
"I really enjoyed it and it's sad the fans weren't in. Both sets of fans would have really enjoyed it. Both teams weren't settling for a draw.
"I always ask the lads to leave everything out on the pitch and they did. I've no complaints. The longer the game went on they just kept freshening it up. There were no complaints from me about the goals we've conceded.
"Our second-half performance was really good. I am really proud of the fact I manage them because they were amazing."
Stoke manager Michael O'Neill:
"Each of the goals we lost were really poor. We outlined to the players what they would be dealing with.
"We didn't defend the box and played against a team who are very direct and honest. If you look at the nature of the goals, we gave the ball away in a bad area for the first. The second and third people haven't competed at a second ball.
"Ten draws is too many and we felt in a number of those games we've given up the opportunity to win. We are on a run at the minute of too many draws but we are trying to get out of it."