‘Smash & Grabban’ raid shows Lew’s best
FOREST boss Aitor Karanka hailed Lewis Grabban as the best striker in the league after the £6million man broke Rotherham’s resistance with a late penalty.
It was a second goal in two games for the frontman, who played 39 times for the Millers in the league during the 2011-12 campaign.
The game looked destined to end goalless until the 86th minute when Ben Osborn’s run into the box was abruptly ended by Ryan Williams’ clumsy challenge.
Grabban stepped up and coolly sent United keeper Marek Rodak the wrong way from the spot.
It was heartbreaking for Rotherham who had limited Forest to a single shot on target before the penalty.
And the visitors could have taken the lead minutes earlier when Costel Pantilimon made a fantastic save to deny Richie Towell.
Karanka said: “It was one of those days – we haven’t played our best, it was a very difficult game.
“Rotherham are a good team, they have a good manager and have got momentum from gaining promotion. We knew it was going to be tough.
“But, when you have the desire we have, the quality we have and you keep going until the end, you can win the game.
“Lewis is the best striker in this league, that’s the reason we brought him here and it was great to see him score for a second game in a row.”
The visitors set out their stall to frustrate Forest with a five-man midfield and the home side struggled to find a way through.
Rotherham threatened briefly from set-pieces but neither Semi Ajayi or Jamie Proctor could get a clear sight at goal.
Forest’s record signing Joao Carvalho struck the post after the break and it took until the final minute for Osborn to draw a vital late foul from Williams.
Rotherham boss Paul Warne said: “We made one mistake and it cost us the game.
“Our goalkeeper didn’t have a save to make until then.
‘We have got to start turning these performances into points.”