Rotherham United manager Paul Warne felt his side gave a good account of themselves in their 3-1 defeat to Swansea City at AESSEAL New York Stadium and felt they were undone by some moments of quality from the high-flying Swans.
The Millers started brightly on home soil but found themselves two goals behind at the break, thanks to two long-range strikes from Conor Hourihane and Matt Grimes.
Warne’s side battled bravely in the second half and their pressure was rewarded on 65 minutes, when Freddie Ladapo nipped in to head home Wes Harding’s long throw.
However, despite a barrage of pressure from the home side, it was Swansea who found the decisive fourth goal courtesy of substitute Jay Fulton’s first touch, 15 minutes from time.
Rotherham didn’t give the game up as Clark Robertson’s effort cannoned off the crossbar shortly after, but ultimately their valiant efforts were not enough, as the high-fliers took the points.
“I thought we played all right, first half, they didn’t really cut us open, which we were fearful of with Swansea being a very, very good team,” Warne told www.themillers.co.uk.
“As soon as Hourihane hit it, he sent it out wide and that was in. The second goal was avoidable but it’s another great strike. We went in at half time, just tweaked it a little bit but we weren’t overly disappointed with our performance.
“It was two bits of quality and sometimes you just have to hold your hands up.
“I thought the lads gave a good account of themselves, second half. We made loads of changes and at 2-1 I thought the game could have gone in either direction. It was another great finish for their third goal and it was game over.
“Sometimes you come away from a defeat and think about what you got wrong or about how some of the lads didn’t play to their optimum, but sometimes you have to accept the fact that the opposition beat you.
“It wasn’t us beating ourselves. Their finishes were excellent and they go away with the three points.”
New loan-signing Ryan Giles was introduced to the action at half-time to make his home debut and certainly made a positive impact with his direct running and ability to beat a man, something which impressed his new manager.
“He caused no end of problems down this left side he gave us a bit of natural balance which is what we’ve been missing. I thought Wilesy was outstanding and covered virtually every blade of grass. On another day it might bounce for you in the box and you come away with a draw.
“There’s no complaints from me for my lads’ effort, it’s just disappointing we’ve come away with nothing.
“I just said to the lads, we do show opposition respect but we do have to play our way and pick up points. If you’ve watched the game I don’t think there was a massive void. There were bits of class in the final third that have cost us today.”