Rotherham sneak through on penalties at Salford

Cameron Dawson was the hero as Rotherham beat Salford 3-2 in a tense penalty shootout to advance to the Carabao Cup second round.

After the match had finished 0-0, Dawson saved spot-kicks from Tom Edwards and Jorge Grant before Kelly N’Mai fired over the crossbar as the Millers progressed.

Rotherham threatened to open the scoring after eight minutes when Lenny Agbaire headed Joe Powell’s deflected cross over the bar.

Jordan Hugill shook off the challenge of Adebola Oluwo to curl over before centre-back Zak Jules volleyed Powell’s corner narrowly wide as the Millers ramped up the pressure.

Salford came close to taking the lead five minutes after the break when Rosaire Longelo’s low strike was parried into the path of Kadeem Harris before the striker fired against the crossbar.

Rotherham substitute Jack Holmes saw his low shot cannon off the base of a post before livewire Kallum Cesay had a snapshot saved by Dawson as both sides pressed for a breakthrough.

With time running out and penalties looming, Rotherham came close to snatching an 84th-minute winner when Ar’Jany Martha’s goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Ollie Turton.

But although substitute Dan Gore fired wide from 12 yards, Rotherham were not to be denied as they ran out decisive winners in the shootout.