Joe’s late show ruins Jackett’s big return

KENNY Jackett did not enjoy his return to Rotherham after his Portsmouth side went down to a last-gasp defeat.

Jackett led the Millers for just 39 days last year before walking away with the club on a fasttrack to Championship relegation.

And his first return to the AESSEAL New York Stadium was heading for a stalemate until Joe Mattock struck an injury-time winner to hand Rotherham a deserved three points.

Jackett, who was treated to a hostile reaction by the home fans, walked down the tunnel to chants of ‘Kenny, what’s the score?’ but was more concerned about the nature of his side’s defeat.

“For me it was just another game, we are disappointed to lose because we played the team below us in the league,” Jackett said. “Paul (Warne) is someone I have always got on very well with and a few of the staff also.

“There been a few late goals lately and I thought we had ridden the storm and got through it.

“The second half was an onslaught. We rode it very well and battled, which means it is ever so frustrating to concede in injury-time.

“It is not good, late goals like that are not good in close games, it is a sickener. It has turned it for them.”

But Paul Warne, who replaced Jackett at the Millers helm, was understandably thrilled after Mattock’s late show.

He said: “I am pretty chuffed. I thought the way the lads went about it, we just kept knocking on the door.

“If we’d have come off 0-0, I still would have been proud of the performance.

“We were the only team trying to win the game. To score that late on was great.

“They have been the best defensive team here, after 80 minutes I couldn’t see where we were going to get a goal from but the lads kept going. We were incandescent with joy on the side the pitch.

“As long as we can keep picking points it means I can enjoy my Sundays.”

Following an even first half, the Millers assumed control after the break and threatened throughout, particularly from set-pieces.

Richard Wood missed two good opportunities in the space of as many minutes as his header into a sea of bodies from a corner was blocked on the line and a closerange half-volley was skewed wide.

Semi Ajayi also blasted over the bar as Portsmouth defended admirably.

They looked to have seen off the threat until Michael Smith’s injurytime cross was rammed home at the far post by Mattock.