FA Cup 1st round: Rotherham United 3 Burnley 3 - Peter White's big match verdict

NO-ONE felt more at home at Millmoor than Burnley central defender Neil Moore who sported a broad grin to reflect the significant part he played at both ends of the pitch in a classic FA Cup first round confrontation.

And rightly so, as Moore celebrated a rare moment in his career - a goal - to complement some touches of genuine class against the spirited Third Division side he used to represent as a loan player.

It was his first strike in a Burnley shirt and, as he explained afterwards: "It's my first goal anywhere, and it's kind of weird to score it at Millmoor where I spent quite a bit of time and know a lot of the lads."

Rotherham might say that with friends like him who needs enemies. But it was fitting reward for a player who, on occasions, rose above the frantic pace of typical cup football, to produce some moments to savour, both defensively and in beginning attacks.

Such a scoreline could hardly have been anticipated.

Burnley had lost Gerry Creaney, whose dynamic two-month spell in a claret and blue shirt brought him eight goals.

And Rotherham found themselves without their leading scorer Jason White because of hamstring trouble.

Yet the teams scored six goals between them to set up a Turf Moor replay.

Burnley, twice behind, seemed to have taken a decisive 3-2 lead through everywhere-man Paul Weller, only for Rotherham to peg them back and threaten a genuine upset in the last 20 minutes. That prompted Millmoor boss Ronnie Moore to express his disappointment at only claiming a draw.

It was understandable, especially as he also revealed that, with just 16 minutes left and his team enjoying a purple patch, Marlon Beresford had actually got a touch to a super shot from the impressive Lee Glover to turn it onto a post.

But Moore the manager should have kept things in perspective. For, it was only two outrageous slices of luck that left Andy Roscoe celebrating as the home team's two-goal hero.

He should be changing his name to Lenny Lottery after netting a couple of goals which could only be described as flukes.

Chris Waddle, who was super-glued to his man-marker Paul Hurst throughout the first half before having to go off injured, got it right.

The player-boss said with a wry smile: "I hope he (Roscoe) isn't doing the lottery tonight, because he'll probably win it."

He had a point - and if Roscoe fails to turn up for the replay at Turf Moor tomorrow week, you'll know why. He'll be in the Bahamas!

That apart, however, Burnley, who had hardly given Rotherham a kick until the home team scored in the 17th minute, were lacking in attack against a home defence in which ex-Accrington Stanley man Martin Clark worked tremendusly hard.

True, they scored three goals but they were their only shots on target. They failed to get in often enough behind the big three central defenders and didn't utilise the first-half space on the right when Waddle cleverly dragged his man-marker into other areas.

A more subtle approach paid off with two of the goals but the strikers didn't cause enough problems and a lack of creativity and penetration up front must be a concern.

There were, however, some good performances. Paul Weller, for example, impressed in whatever role he had to do, either left-side midfield, right side or even as a wing back in the later stages when Waddle switched to three centre backs.

Beresford had to make an important contribution, even though he was not overly tested, and Moore was excellent. With Rotherham starting to do well in Division Three and Burnley near the foot of the Second, it was set up for a good cup tie.

Burnley were by far the brighter in the opening period, Moore going close with a header and Rotherham relying on men like Steve Thompson to knock the ball over the top. That seemed, in fact, their only weapon until they changed tactics going down the slope in the second half.

But the home team snatched a lucky 17th-minute lead totally against the run of play when Darren Garner's shot from outside the box cruelly deflected off Roscoe to leave Beresford wrongfooted.

Even so, the keeper made a tremendous effort to save.

Inside seven minutes, Burnley were level as Michael Williams put Paul Barnes through on the left and he crossed low for Andy Cooke to tap in from close range.

Burnley won't be happy at conceding a goal from a set piece but Rotherham's first corner, in the 35th minute, saw giant defender Alan Knill glance in a near-post header from Roscoe's well-delivered cross.

It's not easy to defend against such a big man and accurate centre. Two minutes later, it was 2-2. Waddle and Weller worked the short-corner routine and Weller's cross found Moore to rise high and head powerfully home.

Beresford twice did well to deny Rotherham but Cooke went closest to scoring again with a diving header which just went over.

Ten minutes into the second half, Burnley went ahead when Gordon Cowans produced a peach of a pass and Weller, always seeming to be in the right place at the right time, ghosted through a packed defence to place the ball beyond Bobby Mimms.

But Rotherham showed they could fight back too and Roscoe's second fluke arrived on 66 minutes. His first effort was charged down but he went into a block tackle as Burnley tried to clear and the ball flew out of the challenge and into the top corner.

With Glover a menace, Rotherham threatened to win it. But Beresford was equal to his best effort and, overall, a draw was a fair result to a tie Burnley should now go on to win.

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