Set-Pieces the difference between Honest Men and Milers: Ayr United 1-4 Rotherham United

After a disastrous campaign last year, the summer break was much needed for Mark Roberts and his Ayr team. But they say old habits die hard and it must certainly seem that way for Ayr, who still can't defend corners or free-kicks.

Rotherham United, who are managed by former Ayr player, Steve Evans, finished second in League 2 last year, thus securing automatic promotion to England's Third Tier, embarked on their third and final match of their tour of Scotland, that has saw them comfortably beat Livingston and a goal-less draw with Morton.

The first half of the game was fairly uneventful and typical to that of a pre-season fixture, with both teams having a good number of chances, with both sides squandering them all. However, Ayr got lucky within second's as a terrible pass back from Alan Lithgow to David Hutton found it's self at the foot of the Miller's striker, but the referee's assistant had judged it to be offside, even though it was a pass from Lithgow to the striker.

The half-time break saw eleven changes from Rotherham and none for Ayr. New 'keeper, David Hutton made an other outstanding save to deny the Englishmen the opening goal, when the former Queen of the South and Clyde player blocked a Alex Revell shot from point-blank range, with the ball landing at the feet of Ben Pringle, who could only sky the ball over the bar and above the 250 Rotherham fans in the Railway End.

However, Hutton couldn't keep Rotherham at bay forever and after only seven second half minutes, a Michael O'Connor corner was met by an Alex Revell header from six yards out.

It was an other O'Connor corner that lead to Rotherham's second goal, this time he played a short corner with Ben Pringle, who swung the ball in and was once again met by Alex Revell, for 2-0.

It was Mitch Rose, brother of Tottenham player, Danny Rose, who made it 3-0 to the Millers, after a poor Ben Pringle cross was deflected straight into the path of the young midfielder, who simply slotted the ball home past David Hutton.

Despite being three goals down, Ayr continued to apply the pressure on the Yorkshire side, first Michael Moffat came close, and Craig Malcolm heading only inches over from the resulting corner, then Rotherham 'keeper, Adam Collin, just managed to get a foot on to a Michael Donald shot.

Eventually, Ayr were given an opportunity to get on to the score sheet, when sub Alan Forrest passed the ball to Michael Moffat, who was felled by Johnny Mullins, the referee deciding a penalty to be the outcome. Moffat stood up to take the penalty and calmly sent Adam Collin the wrong way.

With five minutes to go, Adam Hunter brought down Michael O'Connor on the edge of the box, a challenge the Irishman didn't take kindly to and retaliated, this resulted in a booking for O'Connor was substituted by Walker, who became the twenty-third player to feature for Rotherham that day. Ben Pringle curled the resulting free-kick past the wall from twenty-two yards out.

Ayr United: David Hutton, Adam Hunter, Gordon Pope, Alan Lithgow, Scott McLaughlin (captain), Robbie Crawford, Micael McGowan (Alan Forrest), Anthony Marenghi, Craig Malcolm, Michael Moffat, Michael Donald.

ATTENDANCE: 664 (250 Rotherham fans)